A Comparative Evaluation Of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine & Intranasal Midazolam For Premedication In Children A Double Blind Randomised Control Trial

**OBJECTIVES:**The study aimed at comparing the efficacies of intranasal dexmedetomidine &intranasal midazolam regarding producing sedation at induction. The secondaryend- points were preoperative heart rate & systolic bloos pressure changesafter administration of either drugs. We also looked at sedation &analgesia status at the time of induction, recovery as well as 3 hours & 6hours post operatively.

**METHODS:**Study subjects comprised of children aged 2-8 years posted for elective surgeryunder general anesthesia. It was a double blind randomized control trialcomprising of 90 subjects divided into 2 groups. group A (n=42) received 0.2μg/kg dexmedetomidine & group B (n=48) 0.5 mg/kg midazolam by intranasalroute 45 minutes prior to induction. sedation & analgesia scores wereassessed by Ramsay Sedation Scale & Observer Pain Scale respectively. heartrate & systolic blood pressures were recorded every 15 minutes pre-operatively after administration of drugs. sedation & analgesia scores wererecorded at induction, recovery, after 3 hours & 6 hours post operatively.

**RESULTS:**93% subjects in group A & 60% in group B achieved satisfactory sedation atthe time of induction. Sedation status & analgesia obtained at the time ofinduction, recovery, 3 hours & 6 hours post operatively were significantlybetter in group A. Pre- operative changes in HR & SBP in both groups werecomparable.

**CONCLUSION:**Intranasal dexmedetomidine is safe &more effectivethan intranasal midazolam for pre operative sedation in children. Also,intranasal dexmedetomidine is a superior agent than intranasal midazolam forpost operative analgesia in pediatric population.