A comparative study of induction and recovery characteristics of propofol and midazolam

Propofol and midazolam were compared in 40 adult patients in A.S.A. 1 or 2 presenting for short surgical procedures (< 70 minutes) with respect to induction time, pain on injection, apnoea, heart rates, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, time to eye opening on command. The first group was induced with midazolam (0.15-0.20 mg/kg) while the second was induced with propofol (2-2.5 mg/kg) intravenously. In all other respects except for the surgery that patients had the same treatment. The mean induction time was 55.25 + 26.66 and 69.75 + 24.72 for propofol and midazolam groups respectively. In the midazolam group apnoea occurred in 10% of patients compared to 80% of patients in the propofol group. Local reaction (phlebitis) was absent in the midazolam compared with 20% incident rate observed in the midazolam group. Propofol lowered blood pressure more than midazolam after three minutes of induction at a statistically significant level (P < 0.05). Recovery was significantly more rapid following propofol (P < 0.05).