The effect of midazolam premedication on discharge time in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia for dental restorations.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral premedication with midazolam on recovery times of children undergoing dental restorations under general anesthesia. METHODS The records of 106 children (1.2-11.3 years, ASA I or II) undergoing ambulatory dental restorations were randomly selected and retrospectively reviewed: 50 subjects received midazolam (M) 0.5 mg/kg orally approximately 30 minutes prior to their procedure and 56 control subjects received no premedication (C). General anesthesia consisted primarily of inhalational anesthesia. Time in the operating room (OR), post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and same day surgery (SDS) were determined and compared between groups. RESULTS Both groups were similar with respect to age and weight. There were no significant differences between groups in time spent in the OR, PACU or SDS (p>0.05). In a subset of children having shorter dental procedures (OR time < or =75 minutes, n=29), there remained no significant difference in discharge times between groups. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative administration of oral midazolam does not delay discharge of children undergoing general anesthesia for dental rehabilitation.