Premedication with meperidine and atropine does not prolong recovery to street fitness after out-patient surgery.
The effect of premedication with meperidine and atropine on recovery to street fitness after out-patient surgery under general anaesthesia was assessed. The subjects of this study were 100 female patients undergoing therapeutic abortion. Two anaesthetic techniques were used; thiopentone-enflurane-nitrous oxide and thiopentone-fentanyl-nitrous oxide. The patients were comparable in age, weight, length of anaesthesia and time for recovery to street fitness after anaesthesia. The amount of thiopentone administered to the thiopentone-fentanyl-nitrous oxide groups was significantly greater than that administered to the thiopentone-enflurane-nitrous oxide groups. It is concluded that premedication with meperidine and atropine did not significantly prolong recovery to street fitness after out-patient surgery. Fear of prolonged recovery should not affect the decision to use premedication.
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004737:Enflurane; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl; D006801:Humans; D008614:Meperidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011247:Pregnancy; D013874:Thiopental; D013997:Time Factors
D000777:Anesthetics; D001285:Atropine; D004737:Enflurane; D008614:Meperidine; D013874:Thiopental; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D005283:Fentanyl