Premedication with midazolam delays recovery after ambulatory sevoflurane anesthesia in children

We studied the effect of oral premedication with midazolam on the recovery characteristics of sevoflurane anesthesia in small children. Ln a randomize d, double-blinded study, 60 children (1-3 yr, ASA physical status I or II) undergoing ambulatory adenoidectomy received either midazolam 0.5 mg/kg (Gr oup M) or placebo (Group P) PO approximately 30 min before the induction of anesthesia. All children received atropine 0.01 mg/kg TV and alfentanil 10 mu g/kg IV before the induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane up to 8 vol % inspired concentration in N2O 67% in O-2. Tracheal intubation was facilit ated with mivacurium 0.2 mg/kg. Anesthesia was continued with sevoflurane a djusted to maintain hemodynamic stability. In the postanesthesia care unit, predetermined recovery end points (emergence, recovery, discharge) were re corded. A pain/ discomfort scale was used to determine the quality of recov ery. A postoperative questionnaire was used to evaluate the well-being of t he patient at home 24 h after surgery. Emergence (spontaneous eye opening), recovery (full points on the modified Aldrete scale), and discharge were a chieved later in Group M than in Group P (15 +/- 6 vs 11 +/-: 3 min [P = 0. 002], 25 +/- 17 vs 16 +/- 6 min [P = 0.01], and 80 +/- 23 vs 70 +/- 23 min [P = 0.03]). Side effects, postanesthetic excitement, and analgesic treatme nt did not differ significantly between groups. At home, more children in G roup P (30%) experienced disturbed sleep during the night compared with tho se in Group M (4%) (P = 0.007). Implications: Ln this randomized, double-bl inded, placebo-controlled study, premedication with midazolam 0.5 mg/kg PO delayed recovery in children 1-3 yr of age after brief (<30 min) sevofluran e anesthesia. Except for more peaceful sleep at home, premedication did not affect the quality of recovery.