Prior to undergoing a surgical procedure, many patients are prescribed sedatives to help reduce stress and anxiety before and after surgery. But a new study published inJAMA has questioned the benefits of these sedatives after finding they may not improve patients’ experience and may even do more harm than good.Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs commonly used to help reduce a patient’s perioperative stress or anxiety – the stress and anxiety experienced before and after surgery.However, the study researchers – including Dr. Axel Maurice-Szamburski of the Hôpital de la Timone Adulte in Marseille, France – note that benzodiazepines have been associated with a number of side effects, including drowsiness, insomnia and cognitive impairment.While benzodiazepines are deemed effective for reducing anxiety, the researchers note there is insufficient evidence to conclude their use leads to a better perioperative experience for patients.Patients may not benefit from sedatives prior to surgery, study suggests
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Prior to undergoing a surgical procedure, many patients are prescribed sedatives to help reduce stress and anxiety before and after surgery. But a new study published inJAMA has questioned the benefits of these sedatives after finding they may not improve patients’ experience and may even do more harm than good.Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs commonly used to help reduce a patient’s perioperative stress or anxiety – the stress and anxiety experienced before and after surgery.However, the study researchers – including Dr. Axel Maurice-Szamburski of the Hôpital de la Timone Adulte in Marseille, France – note that benzodiazepines have been associated with a number of side effects, including drowsiness, insomnia and cognitive impairment.While benzodiazepines are deemed effective for reducing anxiety, the researchers note there is insufficient evidence to conclude their use leads to a better perioperative experience for patients.
H. Kurtis Biggs, DO 