Selective sedation for colonoscopy

A study of selective sedation for colonoscopy was conducted in two parts. All procedures were performed by one experienced colonoscopist. In the first phase, 41 patients received intravenous sedation before colonoscopy and were then prospectively randomized to either a "not-reversed" group, which did not receive flumazenil before withdrawal of the colonoscope, or to a "reversed" group, which received flumazenil before colonoscope withdrawal. None of the 20 patients reversed and 1 of the 21 patients not reversed experienced pain during the withdrawal phase of colonoscopy. Sixty percent of patients in the reversed group and 10% in the not-reversed group remembered the colonoscopic findings being explained during the procedure. Ninety percent and 81% of patients in the reversed and not-reversed groups, respectively, expressed a preference to be awake to watch the withdrawal of the colonoscope. In the second phase of this study, 40 patients underwent colonoscopy without prior intravenous sedation. Sedation was given only if pain was experienced during the procedure. Thirty percent had no pain at all, 55% minimal pain, 8% moderate pain, and 3% severe pain. Twenty-three percent required intravenous sedation, whereas 78% did not receive any sedation. Ninety-three percent were willing to undergo another colonoscopy without prior sedation. Only 8% preferred prior intravenous sedation before any future colonoscopy.