Children hypnotized before their surgery were less likely to report anxiety and also had less behavior problems than children given the drug midazolam, according to a 2005 study by researchers at the University of Rennes. 50 children between the ages of two and eleven participated in the study. All of them had abdominal procedures.
39% of the children who used hypnosis reported anxiety before the surgery, compared with 68% of the group who received the midazolam. After the surgery, 30% of the children who used hypnosis had problems with eating or sleep or being aggressive toward their parents, while 62% of the children who used the midazolam had aggressive behavior, eating or sleep problems.
A more detailed summary of the study can be found here.
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