The effects of diazepam on blood pressure levels in cataract surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of oral diazepam on blood pressure (BP) alterations in patients that underwent cataract surgery under topical anesthesia.

METHODS: A total of 147 patients that underwent phacoemulsification surgery under topical anesthesia, were reviewed retrospectively. The study took place in the Department of Ophthalmology, Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Aydin, Turkey, between January 2011 and July 2013. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: received 5 mg diazepam per oral one hour prior to surgery, and Group 2 (control group): none administered preoperatively. The BP readings of all patients were scanned through their files. Five readings were chosen for statistical analysis. The first reading was taken in the ophthalmology ward on the morning of the operation, the second was taken in the premedication room just before the surgery, 2 readings were taken intraoperatively and recorded as third and fourth values, and the fifth reading was recorded from those taken in the ophthalmology ward after surgery.

RESULTS: Group 1 had a mean age of 62.17 +/- 10.01 years, while the Group 2 had a mean age of 64.31 +/- 10.88 years. There were no differences between the 2 groups by means of systolic and diastolic BP levels measured preoperatively in the ophthalmology ward. Intraoperative systolic and diastolic BP levels were significantly higher in Group 2 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Elevated BP can undermine surgical outcomes; and may lead to unforeseen complications. To prevent the elevation of BP to risky levels in the intraoperative period, diazepam administration may be beneficial, even in normotensive patients.