title: The effect of melatonin on sleep quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we investigated whether melatonin administration could improve postoperative subjective sleep quality and reduce discomfort.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-one patients scheduled for elective ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to oral 5 mg melatonin (n = 60) or placebo (n = 61) for 3 nights after surgery. Subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep timing, and subjective discomfort (fatigue, general well-being, and pain) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sleep latency was significantly reduced in the melatonin group (mean [sd] 14 min [18]) compared with placebo (28 min [41]) on the first postoperative night (P = 0.015). The rest of the measured outcome variables did not differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melatonin did not improve subjective sleep quality or discomfort compared with placebo after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology D, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, Niels Andersens Vej 65, DK-2900 Hellerup, Denmark. ig@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gögenur
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kücükakin
authors.forename: Thue
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bisgaard
authors.forename: Viggo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: Niels-Christian
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Hjortsø
authors.forename: Debra J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Skene
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008550:Melatonin