[Total intravenous anesthesia with continuous infusion of midazolam]

Continuous infusion of midazolam and fentanyl were used in total intravenous anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.3 mg.kg-1 in 100% O2. Tracheal intubation was facilitated with succinylcholine 1 mg.kg-1 after precurarization with pancuronium 1 mg. The infusion regimen of midazolam was as follows; an initial infusion of 0.68 mg.kg-1.hr-1 for 15 min followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.125 mg.kg-1.hr-1, and about 30 min before the end of operation infusion was stopped. Fentanyl and pancuronium were injected as required. During operation, blood pressure and heart rate were stable with a small dose of nicardipine. Total dose of fentanyl was the same as in NLA. Extubation was done as quickly as in NLA, after aminophylline infusion which was said to reverse midazolam. In the recovery room, patients were asleep and snored. But they opened eyes and responded to verbal command. Respiratory rate and PaCO2 were in normal ranges. Total intravenous anesthesia was possible with midazolam and fentanyl but a further study is necessary.