Comparative Study of Oral Midazolam Syrup and Intranasal Midazolam Spray for Sedative Premedication in Pediatric Surgeries

INTRODUCTION: Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine which is frequently administered by intravenous and oral routes. Its nasal spray has become recently available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, after obtaining clearance from the ethical committe, 66 patients between the age group of 4 and 10 years comparable in demographic variables were randomly allocated into two groups of 33 each. Group “O” received oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) 20 min before induction. Group “N” received intranasal midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) 20 min before induction. The heart rate and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean) and oxygen saturation (SPO(2)) were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 15.0 software. The values were represented in number (%) and mean±sd. RESULTS: Satisfactory sedation scores were better in nasal spray group than oral group. Satisfactory ease of induction scores, recovery times, and postanesthesia recovery scores were better in the nasal spray group than in the oral group. CONCLUSION: Nasal midazolam spray is acceptable and is a good alternative to oral midazolam as premedication in the pediatric population.