Authors : Nethra S.S, Madhu K. P, Sagar Srinivas K, Sudheesh K, Shubha S
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijca.2019.081
Volume : 6
Issue : 3
Year : 2019
Page No : 420-424
Introduction: Melatonin, naturally occurring sleep hormone secreted by pineal gland has sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and chronobiotic properties that distinguishes it as an attractive premedicant. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of preoperative oral melatonin on post operative pain and perioperative anxiety in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgical procedures under subarachnoid block (SAB).
Materials and Methods: After institutional ethical committee clearance and patients informed written consent, 70 ASA I and II patients aged between 18 to 60 years posted for infraumbilical surgery under SAB were randomized into M and P groups with 35 in each. All patients received either 3mg oral melatonin or placebo one hour before spinal. Post operative pain was assessed using Visual analogue Scale (VAS) and time required for first rescue analgesia was noted. Perioperative anxiety and sedation levels were assessed using Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) and Ramsay Sedation Scores (RSS) respectively and monitored for any adverse effects. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 with appropriate statistical tests.
Results: The demographic characteristics and duration of surgery were comparable between the groups. The time required for rescue analgesia was significantly longer in M group (311.8±39min) than P group (189.6±22.2min) with P valve <0>
Conclusion: Preoperative oral melatonin 3mg provided analgesia beyond first 6hrs of post operative period, reduced the requirement of analgesics in the first 24 hrs and provided perioperative anxiolysis and sedation without any adverse events in patients undergoing surgical procedures under subarachnoid block.
Keywords: Melatonin, Perioperative anxiety, Postoperative pain, Premedication.