| Title: | Lorazepam as a premedicant for day-case surgery: an assessment |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0003-2409 (Print). 0003-2409 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | The sedative effect of 2 mg of lorazepam was assessed in eleven patients undergoing minor "day case" surgery and the results compared with a control group of eleven patients receiving a placebo. Sedation was assessed by a scoring method and quantified in terms of change in plasma cortisol levels. The results indicate that 2 mg of oral lorazepam produces good sedation (superior to nitrazepam in terms of plasma cortisol reduction) and has a postoperative anti-emetic effect but its prolonged duration of action makes it unsuitable for patients returning home within 8 hours of premedication. |
