Pentazocine and diazepam analgesia for minor gynaecological operations.

There are a number of methods for inducing analgesia which can be used for minor gynaecological procedures. These differ considerably in efficacy and possible side effects. We have administered pentazocine mixed with diazepam as a hypnotic and analgesic, in 196 patients with relative safety even in potentially hazardous conditions, such as patients with arteriosclerotic heart disease or a full stomach. Pentazocine is a potent, well tolerated, synthetic analgesic. Pentazocine 30 mg has an analgesic effect equal to 75-100 mg pethidine. The effect is rapid in onset after intravenous injection and the drug is well tolerated both systemically and locally even by very ill or elderly patients. Pentazocine may be mixed with many other drugs including sedatives, hypnotics and tranquillizers. In hospital obstetric practice and in domiciliary practice, the incidence of nausea and vomiting after pentazocine was found to be less than that produced by pethidine (Moore, Carson and Hunter, 1970; Mowat and Garrey, 1970). Diazepam is a tranquillizer and sedative which can be used for premedication and a variety of therapeutic procedures (Dundee and Haslett, 1970). Recently, diazepam and pethidine have been recommended for minor gynaecological surgery (Goldman, Ovadia and Eckerling, 1972).