title: [Risks of premedication with benzodiazepines exemplified by a case of asphyxia caused by flunitrazepam].
abstract: Oral premedication with benzodiazepines is well established in clinical anaesthesia. Appreciation of the specific pharmacodynamic profile of available drugs suggest individual prescription for certain groups of patients. We report a case of severe respiratory depression following oral premedication with flunitrazepam 1 mg in a patient with intracranial neoplasma. With respect to this complication and a review of the literature we suggest administration of short acting benzodiazepines with pronounced anxiolytic and moderate sedative properties (lormetazepam type) for neurosurgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jantzen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wallenfang
mesh_terms: D001237:Asphyxia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000601:surgery; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005445:Flunitrazepam
vernacular_title: Risiken der Prämedikation mit Benzodiazepinen am Beispiel einer Asphyxie nach Flunitrazepam.