We found no evidence of a difference in time to discharge from hospital, assessed by clinical criteria, in patients who received anxiolytic premedication. However, in view of the age and variety of anaesthetic techniques used and clinical heterogeneity between studies, inferences for current day case practice should be made with caution.
Temazepam as premedication in day surgery.
Sixty patients scheduled for day case surgery were allocated into two groups in a double-blind study. One group received temazepam 20 mg or 30 mg orally 1 hour before surgery whilst the second group received a placebo of identical appearance. The use of temazepam was followed by a greater frequency of sedation and anxiolysis and with fewer problems at induction. The time to awaken, the level of postoperative sedation and the ability to walk unaided were similar in both groups. Postoperative sequelae were less frequent in the temazepam group. Temazepam is advocated as a suitable drug for premedication in day case surgery.