Effects of estazolam as a premedication in mentally retarded patients.

In anesthesia for mentally retarded patients, adequate preoperative sedation is important. We have investigated the sedative effects of estazolam in 16 mentally retarded patients who were given 0.1 mg·kg-1 orally; its sedative effects were compared with those of hydroxyzine (50 mg intramuscularly, 6 patients). Estazolam was observed to be significantly more effective as a sedative than hydroxyzine throughout the period under study. Estazolam was clinically effective in 94% of patients, no patient needing either additional drugs for sedation or heavy restraint. The sedative effects of estazolam lasted on average 9h and patients were still well sedated after the operation. There was no serious complication due to estazolam. Thus, it was found to be an effective drug for premedication in mentally retarded patients.