Preanesthetic sedation of preschool children: Comparison of intranasal midazolam versus oral promethazine

BACKGROUND: Ensuring adequate preoperative sedation and anxiolysis is essential, especially in pediatric surgery. Various drugs and routes of administration have been evaluated to determine the optimal method of sedation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected hundred preschool children undergoing elective surgery and sedated them with either intranasal midazolam or oral promethazine syrup in the preoperative period. They were assessed with respect to their levels of sedation till the period of mask placement for induction of general anesthesia. RESULTS: Both groups had comparable heart rates, respiratory rates, sedation scores, and emotional scores at all points of assessment (P>0.05). However, intranasal midazolam had a significantly shorter onset of sedation as well as time to reach maximal sedation (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that either drug may be used with ease in preschool children undergoing elective surgery.