Effect of pre‐operative anxiolysis on postoperative pain response in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy

Summary In a double blind, placebo‐controlled trial, we have assessed the effects of pre‐operative anxiolysis on postoperative pain scores in 112 ASA I‐II women, aged 18–65 years, scheduled to undergo total abdominal hysterectomy. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive either oral diazepam 10 mg (n=56) or placebo (n=56) pre‐operatively. Postoperative anxiety, pain scores, analgesic consumption, and sedation were evaluated at several time points during the first 24 h following surgery. Postoperative pain scores were found to be significantly higher in the diazepam group. Trait and state anxiety showed a significant effect on pain scores, independent of the treatment group. No difference was found between the groups in morphine consumption, but there was a significant reduction in morphine consumption with time.