Role of Anxiolysis in Post-surgical Recovery; A Study Among Cases of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of alprazolam, a short acting, yet potent anxiolytic and sedative
of the benzodiazepine class of drugs in recovery in cases of acute appendicitis.
Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study between September 2017 to
November 2017 on patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic appendectomies at a
tertiary care hospital. Participants were randomly grouped into either Group A who received oral
alprazolam 0.5mg once daily for 7 days (including the post-operative hospital stay) or Group B
who received no anxiolytic either post-operatively or on discharge. Data was collected via a face-
to-face interview with a member of our research team who filled their respective questionnaires at
time-points of discharge, and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks follow-up.
Results: A total of 73 patients studied over 3 months showed that mean anxiety levels and pain
scores were decreased in the group which had been prescribed alprazolam 0.5mg for 1 week.
Return to normal routine activity was also noted to be quicker in the same group
Conclusions: According to the data gathered in our study, the use of anxiolytics in post-
surgical care may be justified due to faster recovery and better patient satisfaction. The adverse
effects of the benzodiazepine class of drugs do not outweigh the benefits in post-surgical care.