Resistance Under the Microscope

• Change in Anxiety [ Time Frame: baseline up to 1 week after surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is used to assess the change in anxiety. The STAI is the most widely used self-report measure of anxiety.
• Change in Fatigue [ Time Frame: baseline up to 1 week after surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) is used to assess the change in fatigue. The MFI is a self-report instrument designed to measure fatigue.
• Change in Aggression regulation [ Time Frame: baseline up to 1 week after surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS) is used to assess the aggression regulation. STAS is one of the most used tools for measuring aggression.
• Change in Depressive moods [ Time Frame: baseline up to 1 week after surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is used to assess the change in depression. The HADS is a well known international outcome measurement for anxiety and depression. It is often used in the clinical setting.
• Change in Somatic symptoms and complaints [ Time Frame: baseline up to 1 week after surgery ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Medical records are used to assess the change in somatic symptoms and complaints. Next to the medical records, dimensions of the QoR-40 (physical comfort, physical independence and pain) are used to measure the change in somatic symptoms and complaints.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether lorazepam, which is used to lower preoperative anxiety, also improves postoperative recovery.

Since the early 1980s, the investigators have seen a shift towards day-case surgery. Before surgery, many patients have negative feelings about the surgical procedure. These anxieties have various negative effects. To reduce this resistance preoperative administration of an anxiolytic drug is administered, typically a benzodiazepine. The investigators know that benzodiazepines are effective in reducing anxiety, but up to now there is nog good scientific evidence about the effectiveness of lorazepam on the quality of recovery in day-case surgery patients.

The ultimate goal of our research project is to identify patients who would benefit from preoperative benzodiazepine administration and who not. Identification would substantially contribute to optimal medical decision making.

• Drug: Lorazepam
  Once 1mg <75kg body weight, 1.5mg 75kg and >75kg body weight, IV, before surgery
  Other Name: Temesta
• Drug: NaCl 0.9% (Sodium Chloride)
  Once 1ml <75kg body weight, 1.5ml 75kg or >75kg body weight, IV, before surgery
  Other Name: NaCl 0.9%

• Active Comparator: Lorazepam
  Lorazepam 4mg/4ml
  Intervention: Drug: Lorazepam
• Placebo Comparator: NaCl 0.9%
  NaCl 0.9% 4ml
  Intervention: Drug: NaCl 0.9% (Sodium Chloride)

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients > 18 years admitted to the Day-Case Surgery Department Erasmus MC

Exclusion Criteria:

• insufficient command of the Dutch language
• ophthalmology surgery
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)-, Gastrointestinal endoscopic intervention, Botox-, Abortion and Pain treatment
• Use of psychopharmaceuticals
• Contra-indication of lorazepam use