Sajid B, et al. - In this prospective randomized double-blind study, researchers compared the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and midazolam as oral premedicants in 80 pediatric cases of the American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I scheduled for elective herniotomy. Two groups of patients were defined: Group A, comprising 40 patients who were randomly assigned to receive dexmedetomidine 4 μg/kg, and Group B, including 40 patients who were randomized to midazolam 0.5 mg/kg. Both these agents were administered orally 40 min prior to induction. Both groups were compared with respect to pre-operative sedation, response to parental separation and venepuncture, emergence agitation, recovery nurse satisfaction, and side effects. The sedation and anxiolysis provided by dexmedetomidine as oral premedicant was equally effective to that offered by premedication with oral midazolam. Additionally, an attenuation in the incidence and severity of emergence agitation was noted with dexmedetomidine.