The effects of midazolam administered postoperatively on emergence agitation in pediatric strabismus surgery

BACKGROUND: The present study tested the effect of midazolam administration after sevoflurane anesthesia against emergence agitation in children in the recovery phase. METHODS: A total of 60 children presenting for ophthalmic surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia were randomly placed in four groups from Group I to Group IV. Before the end of the surgery, we injected normal saline 2 ml in Group I and Group IV. We administered a 2-ml mixture of midazolam 0.025 mg/kg and midazolam 0.050 mg/kg to Group II and Group III respectively. Among the patients with agitation scores 4 or 5 in the peostanesthesia care unit (PACU), Group IV patients were intravenously given a 1-ml mixture of midazolam 0.025 mg/kg and normal saline up to 3 times. Agitation parameters, anesthesia recovery times, and the total administration amounts of midazolam were measured. RESULTS: Extubation time was significantly longer and maximum agitation scores higher in Group III than in Group I. The rate of the length of the period when the agitation score was 4 or 5 out of the length of stay in the PACU was significantly lower in Group II, Group III, and Group IV than in Group I. The length of stay in the PACU was significantly longer in Group III, and Group IV than in Group I. CONCLUSIONS: For pediatric patients under sevoflurane anesthesia, postoperative midazolam administration slightly prolonged the length of stay in the PACU. But it effectively reduced emergence agitation without any side effects.