PROPOFOL SEDATION FOR OUTPATIENT UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY: COMPARISON WITH MIDAZOLAM

The objectives of this study were to assess midazolam and propofol as sedative agents for outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopy, with particular reference to recovery profile, amnesic effects, and haemodynamic state and oxygenation during the procedure. Forty consecutive patients were allocated randomly to two groups. Patients in group I ( n = 19) received midazolam 81 (SEM 32) μg kg −1 ; those in group II ( n = 21) received propofol 950 (400) μg kg −1 . Both agents were administered as single injections to similar end-points of sedation. Psychomotor function was assessed using the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). Amnesia was measured with a visual memory test and subjective questionnaire. Patients in group I had a lower DSST score than those in group II ( P P P