Effect of Low - Dose Midazolam for Colonoscopy

Lee, Hwa Young; Kim, Jae Jun; Kim, Young Ho; Sung, In Kyung; Son, Hee Jung; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Koh, Kwang Cheol; Paik, Seung Woon; Rhee, Jong Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Because colonoscopy is a painful procedure, analgesics and sedatives may be necessary as premedication. Midazolam reacts quicker, has a more excellent amnesic effect and fewer complications compared to diazepam. The effects of midazolam depend on dose, age, and rapidity of injection. According to several studies, side effects of midazolam were more common in high-dose injections (more than 5 mg) compared to low dose injections (0.03-0.05 rng/kg). Moreover, low dose injections were found to be as effective as high dose injections. However, there was no report about the effect and the side effects of midazolam in Korea. Therefore, we performed this study to determine the effect of low dose midazolam as premedication for colonoscopy.
METHODS
We performed colonoscopy in 99 consecutive patients who were randomly selected (midazolam group: 50, placebo group: 49) prospectively from July 1996 to September 1996. Premedication was administered through intravenous injection of midazolam or saline 0.03 mg/kg, combined with intramuscular injections of meperidine 50 mg, and intravenous injections of Buscopan 20 mg in all patients. Blood pressure, puise rate, and O2 saturation by oxymeter were checked before, during, and 30 minutes after colonoscopy. The degree of amnesia, discomfort, cooperation and acceptance of the re-examination were checked.