comparison of the effect of lorazepam and chlordiazpoxide as premedication on prevention of recall perioperative events after general anesthesia

ABSTRACT

Premedication is used for preparing patients before operation in order to induce sedation, homodynamic stability, analgesia, and prevention of nausea and vomiting. The side effects of the drugs and amnesia also need consideration. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of Lorazpam and Chlordiazpoxide as premedication in prevention of recall perioperative events, following general anesthesia. This clinical trial was carried out during October 1997 to March 1999 on 128 adult patients who had inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two groups. The patients in group 1 each received 2mg lorazpam and in group 2 each received l0mg chlordiazpoxide at night before operation and again at the morning of operation. Twenty-four hours after operation, all patients were asked about perioperative events and then scores of amnesia were specified for all patients of the two groups. The data were analyzed by U-Mann Whitney and chi-square tests. The patients ranged between 20 to 50 years of age. The mean age in group 1 [Lorazpam] and group 2 [chlordiazpoxide] were 38 +/- 3.9 and 39.3 +/ 2.8, respectively [P>0.05]. The results showed that Lorazpam group recalled perioperative events were less than those of chlordiazpoxide group [P<0.05]. It was found that induced amnesia with Lorazpam was significantly more than that of chlordiazpoxide, suggesting that Lorazpam may be preferable as a premedication before operation