Melatonin as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Keywords:
anaesthetics, premedication, midazolam, melatonin, general anaesthesiaAbstract
Background: There are only a few studies involving the use of melatonin for premedication for anaesthesia. The goal of our study was to compare the effects of melatonin and midazolam administered as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 53 patients (ASA I, II) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n=18) included patients receiving 3 mg melatonin the night before and as premedication; group 2 (n=17) included the patients receiving 3,75 mg midazolam (1/2 of a 7,5 mg tablet) by the same protocol as for melatonin; and group 3 (n=18) included patients receiving placebo tablets. Preoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores, as well as the quality of pre-anaesthetic sleep, were evaluated. Postoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores and the number of remembered pictures were evaluated at 15 and 60 minutes and 6, 12 and 24 hours respectively. The intra-anaesthetic opioid requirements and the severity of postoperative pain (VAS) were also evaluated. Results: The anxiety scores were lower in the melatonin group than in the midazolam group in both the pre- and postoperative period. The scores for the remembered pictures were consistently better in the melatonin group. Postoperatively, the sedation score was significantly lower in the melatonin group, as were the intra-anaesthetic opioid requirements. The severity of postoperative pain was also lower in comparison to midazolam and the placebo. Conclusions: Melatonin (3 mg) can be successfully used as a premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially If the patients are operated on day-case basis, because of the perioperative anxiolysis, a certain analgesic effect and a better recovery profile.Downloads
Published
2008-08-07
Issue
Section
Scientific Letters
License
By submitting manuscripts to SAJAA, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the SA Society of Anaesthesiologists. Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAJAA for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.
The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License. The SAJAA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.