The effect of diazepam and diazepam+tramadol premedications on postoperative analgesic consumption

Abstract

Aim: We designed this study to determine the effects of both anxiolytic premedication and pre-emptive analgesia on postoperative analgesic consumption. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 ASA I-II patients aged 25-60 years undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were enrolled into the study. The patients were dividing into 3 groups. Patients in Group D received oral diazepam 10 mg at the night and one hour before surgery. Patients in Group T, oral diazepam 10 mg at the night before surgery and diazepam 10 mg plus tramadol 50 mg one hour before surgery. In Group P, the patient received oral placebo the night and one hour before surgery. For postoperative analgesia bolus doses of pethidine were administered to the patients using iv patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Heart rate, mean blood pressure, pain and sedation scores, rescue analgesic consumption, analgesic request number, and adverse effects were monitored. Results: VAS scores in the first hour of postoperative period, pethidine consumption and demand number recorded by PCA device and rescue analgesic usage were lower in the patients given tramadol plus diazepam than the patients given diazepam or placebo. Total pethidine usage, request numbers and rescue analgesic consumption were lower in the patients given diazepam than the patients given placebo. No adverse effects were observed in any patients. Conclusion: We determined that both anxiolytic effect of diazepam and pre-emptive effect of tramadol were effective on postoperative pain and both agents decreased postoperative analgesic consumption without increasing the incidence of adverse effects after operations with anticipated severe pain.