Abstract

This study was an open comparative trial of 2.5 mg IV midazolam and 5 mg IV diazepam for sedation and muscle relaxation during reduction of dislocations and fractures. Patients were successive eligible outpatient admissions for dislocations while skiing. The 64 patients were block randomised to midazolam or diazepam. Two types of injury were studied, shoulder dislocations and Colles fractures. The number of patients in the Colles` group was small (n = 15) but they have been included to provide information on this type of injury although not analysed as a separate group. Overall results were similar in both groups. The success of the procedure were similar for each drug group. The need for a second dose of the test drug was similar for the two shoulder groups however 43 of the midazolam Colles treated patients required a second dose and none of the diazepam group did. The values for all vital signs decreased with time, however, the average decrease was similar for both drug groups. The score on the Trieger test was lower on average after the procedure compared with before the procedure or on discharge. There were no statistically significant differences between the drug groups in patient recall and evaluation of the drug treatment on discharge or 24 hours later, except that patients receiving midazolam in the shoulder groups appeared less likely to recall their initial Trieger test than those given diazepam. Overall, these two drugs appeared to be similar for this patient group. Verf.-Referat