Lactium Versus Midazolam Premedication on Postoperative Negative Behavioral Changes

Pre-anesthetic sedation may reduce postoperative negative behavioral changes. Midazolam, a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, has been used in attempts to improve child cooperation with anesthesia induction, though with reported variation in effectiveness for benefit at the different stages in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods. Lactium" is a synthetic derivative of alpha-s1 casein hydrolysate (ACH) containing the alpha-casozepine peptide, which is one of the main components of milk protein. It has been shown to interact with gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors to provide anxiolytic and anti-stress effects. In this novel study, we hypothesize that the pre-emptive premedication by oral administration of lactium or midazolam can decrease the incidence of negative behavioral changes in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Cases will receive preoperative lactium (5 mg/kg). Each lentra sachet (containing 150 mg Lactium) will be totally dissolved in 60 ml water and (2 ml/kg) will be given to cases, 2 hours before surgery with a maximum dose of 300 mg.

Drug: Lactium

Cases will receive preoperative 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam (maximum 20 mg), 30 minutes before surgery.

Drug: Midazolam

Cases will receive volume matched flavored solutions at each corresponding time point.

Other: Flavored oral solution

cases will receive preoperative lactium, each lentra sachet (containing 150 mg Lactium) will be totally dissolved in 60 ml water and 5 mg/kg (2 ml/kg) will be given to cases, 2 hours before surgery with a maximum dose of 300 mg. Also, they will receive volume matched and flavored matched water 30 minutes before surgery. The cups and the syringes will be opaque.

cases will receive 2 ml/kg of water dissolved into it a sweet- vanilla flavored powder, 2 hours before surgery. Also, 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam (maximum 20 mg) will be given 30 minutes before surgery.

Cases will receive volume matched and flavored matched oral solution at each corresponding time point.

Time frame: 24 hours after surgery.

It will be assessed by a validated Arabic version of the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ). This is a 27-item questionnaire that was used to evaluate the child's behavior. Significant negative behavioral changes will be defined as ≥ 7 negative changes on the PHBQ items in comparison with the pre-anesthesia baseline values.

Time frame: Up to 1 month after surgery

It will be assessed by a validated Arabic version of the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ). This is a 27-item questionnaire that was used to evaluate the child's behavior. Significant negative behavioral changes will be defined as ≥ 7 negative changes on the PHBQ items in comparison with the pre-anesthesia baseline values.

Time frame: Up to 1 hour after surgery.

It will be evaluated using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale (PAED) scale. A score \>12 together with a Delirium-specific score ≥ 9 will be considered a diagnostic endpoint for the development of delirium.

Time frame: Perioperative.

It will be assessed at the time of taking the child to the operating theatre by the attending anesthesiologist using the Parent Separation Anxiety Scale (PSAS). (13) The PSAS ranges from one to four where one refers to easy separation; two equals whimpers; three denotes that the child cries and cannot be easily reassured but not clinging to parents; and 4 signifies crying and clinging to parents. A PSAS score of 1 or 2 was considered as 'acceptable' separation.

Time frame: Perioperative.

The ease of mask acceptance will be graded using the Mask Acceptance Score (MAS) at the time of induction of general anesthesia with sevoflurane. (14) The MAS scale is a 4-point Likert scale: 1 = excellent (unafraid, accepts mask readily); 2 = good (slight fear of mask, easily reassured); 3 = fair (moderate fear of mask, not calmed with reassurance); and 4 = poor (terrified, combative and crying). A MAS of 1 or 2 was considered 'satisfactory' mask acceptance

Time frame: Up to 1 hour after surgery.

Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale at post-anesthesia care unit arrival and every 0.25 hour for 1 hour after surgery.

Time frame: End of surgery.

At the end of surgery, the trachea will be extubated with the patient in the lateral position after confirmation that the gag reflex returned

Time frame: Up to 1 hour after surgery.

Parental contact will be initiated as the first line management od delirium. If the PAED score remains at least 13 with a Delirium-specific score at least 9 despite parental contact, 1 mg/kg IV propofol will be administered. This dose will be repeated after 15 min if the child still agitated.

Time frame: Up to 1 hour after surgery.

A FLACC score of at least 4 will be treated with 0.5mcg/kg of IV fentanyl. This dose will be repeated after 15 min if the child still in pain. The total dose of rescue fentanyl will be recorded.

Time frame: Perioperative.

anxiety scores before the administration of the study drugs and during parent separation and during anesthesia induction will be assessed by the modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale-short form (m-YPAS-SF).

Time frame: Up to 1 hour after surgery.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting, bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory events will be recorded.

Effect of Lactium Versus Midazolam Premedication on Postoperative Negative Behavioral Changes in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy: A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial