Effects of midazolam on pain sensations in the face.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of midazolam, a sedative, on tactile and pain sensations on the skin of the chin.


METHODS
Thirty-seven volunteers were segregated into four groups; the first group was the control group; the second to fourth groups were administered 0.025 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg, and 0.075 mg/kg of midazolam, respectively, as a bolus injection. All volunteers reclined in a dental chair for the experiment. Tactile and pain sensations were determined over time after injection of midazolam, the former using von Fray thread, the latter using an esthesiometer.


RESULTS
Thresholds of tactile sensitivity and of pain were statistically significantly different from control values at 10 minutes after injection of midazolam in the 0.05 mg/kg group and in the 0.075 mg/kg group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although 0.025 mg/kg of midazolam produced sedation, at least 0.05 mg/kg of this agent was required to alter the thresholds for perception of tactile and painful stimulation.
Nakanishi
O
O
Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Amano
Y
Y
Ishikawa
T
T
Azuma
M
M
Imamura
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002680:Chin; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014110:Touch / Q000187:drug effects
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam