Date of Award
Summer 1971
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Moss, Richard W.
Second Advisor
Wussow, G. C.
Abstract
The rationale for premedication of the surgical patient is well known to surgeons and anesthesiologists. A major objective of premedication is the reduction of anxiety, apprehension, and fear. These same emotions are said to elevate systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. The hypothesis is logically formed, then, that elevations of systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate are less in premedicated patients than in comparable nonpremedicated patients. To test this hypothesis, a group of 25 male patients between the ages of 20 and 30 years underwent similar oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia. Fourteen patients were given intravenous sedation with Diazepam, Eleven patients served as the control as they underwent similar procedures in an identical manner, except that they were given an intravenous saline placebo. Periodic and frequent recordings of systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were obtained prior to, during, and after the oral surgical procedure on each patient. Statistical analysis revealed that both groups responded to the stress of venipuncture, injection of local anesthetic, and surgical manipulation with significant increases of all three parameters studied. When the groups were compared with one another, the test group had significantly lower systolic blood pressures after injections and during surgical procedures when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the pulse rate or respiratory rate between the two groups at any time, This study has added evidence to the concept that a surgical procedure is not only a stressful event, but causes significant increases of systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. Significantly lower systolic blood pressure of the test group during stressful events suggests that Diazepam premedication measurably reduces the sympathetic response to stress.
Recommended Citation
Pippen, Robert Eugene, "Intravenous Diazepam Premedication in Oral Surgery" (1971). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 5347.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/5347