[Controlled trials of premedication of fiberendoscopy (author's transl)]

In four controlled studies on 771 consecutive patients we tested the value of premedication before passing a fiberendoscope. Following local anaesthesia of the throat, 10 mgs of diazepam in patients less than 60 years and 5 mgs in those over 60 years quickly injected intravenously caused a sufficient premedication for fiberendoscopy. Premedication with diazepam is better than placebo. We fell that omission of premedication is not justifiable. Flunitrazepam, for premedication, in doses of 1-2 mgs did not prove to be suitable. 20 patients were radiologically controlled for signs of aspiration following premedication and endoskopy. They showed no signs of aspiration.