Oral midazolam premedication for day case breast surgery, a randomised prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study

We conducted a randomised prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of oral midazolam premedication in 50 ASA I and II female patients scheduled to undergo day case breast surgery. Anxiety was assessed using 100-mm visual analogue scales (VAS) and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) psychometric questionnaire. Midazolam premedication did not significantly reduce either VAS or STAI score, although heart rate and systolic arterial pressure immediately before induction of anaesthesia were significantly lower in patients who received midazolam (p=0.006 and 0.039, respectively). Induction of anaesthesia, was achieved with a lower dose of propofol (p=0.0009) and excellent (Grade I) conditions for insertion of a laryngeal mask airway were achieved more often after midazolam premedication (p=0.038). Arterial desaturation during induction of anaesthesia and insertion of a laryngeal mask airway occurred more often in patients who received placebo (p=0.022). There was a good correlation between VAS and STAI used to assess the anxiolytic effects of premedication. (Spearman coefficient 0.58, p<0.0001).