Melatonin as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

ABSTRACTBackground: There are only a few studies involving the use of melatonin for premedication for anaesthesia. The goal of our study was to compare the effects of melatonin and midazolam administered as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 53 patients (ASA I, II) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 18) included patients receiving 3 mg melatonin the night before and as premedication; group 2 (n = 17) included the patients receiving 3,75 mg midazolam (1/2 of a 7,5 mg tablet) by the same protocol as for melatonin; and group 3 (n = 18) included patients receiving placebo tablets. Preoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores, as well as the quality of preanaesthetic sleep, were evaluated. Postoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores and the number of remembered pictures were evaluated at 15 and 60 minutes and 6, 12 and 24 hours respectively....