A study on role of oral melatonin as premedicant in general anaesthesia at tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Reducing anxiety is an important goal in good anaesthesia management. Preoperative anxiety can be reduced with certain pharmacological interventions. Aim: The present study was carried to assess the potential role of oral Melatonin as a premedicant to general anaesthesia and its effect on induction dose of Propofol. Methodology: A prospective randomized double blind placebo controlled study was planned on 80 patients of ASA I & II physical status aged between 18- 55 yrs. scheduled to undergo different elective surgeries and satisfying all the inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into 2 groups – 1. Group M = Oral melatonin 3 mg 2. Group P = Placebo Pre-operative Visual Analogue Scale for anxiety (VAS-A) score, sedation and orientation score were noted, along with the dose requirement of Propofol during induction in both the groups. Haemodynamic and adverse effect profile along with time to recovery from anaesthesia were also observed. Results: Patients who received premedication with melatonin were less anxious, better sedated and had had no effect on the orientation compared to placebo. Oral melatonin was associated with significant decrease in induction dose of Propofol and did not delay recovery from anaesthesia. It has a favourable hemodynamic profile with no major adverse effects. Conclusion: Oral melatonin 3mg can be an effective premedication for preoperative anxiolysis and sedation and an adjuvant to induction drug Propofol.