[Midazolam and Meperidine for colonoscopy]

We studied the sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects of intravenous midazolam and meperidine for colonoscopy, and also compared patient's satisfaction, changes of vital signs, safety and complications with intramuscular meperidine during the colonoscopy. Two hundred and ninety-nine patients undergoing physical check-up were randomized to receive intramuscular meperidine 50 mg and Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide (buscopan) 20 mg (Group IM-MB, n = 57) or intravenous midazolam 0.05 mg/kg, meperidine 1 mg/kg and buscopan 20 mg (Group IV-MMB, n = 242) before colonoscopy. All patients were closely observed and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were monitored with pulse oximeter in Group IV-MMB. The demographic data of both groups were similar. There were significantly more severe pain responses (grimacing, moaning, shouting for pain, abdominal rigidity and body moving during colonoscopy) in Group IM-MB (51%) than in Group IV-MMB (13%) (p < 0.01). In immediate procedure recall after recovery from medications, 39% of Group IM-MB remembered severe pain during colonoscopy and only 3% of Group IV-MMB did (p < 0.01). 92% of Group IV-MMB who felt satisfactory with the medications were significantly higher than 21% in Group IM-MB (p < 0.01). Both groups significantly increased in heart rate after the injection of medications (p < 0.01). Group IM-MB increased 15 +/- 18% and Group IV-MMB 61 +/- 28% with significant difference between groups (p < 0.01). This might be caused by meperidine, buscopan, and relative hypovolemia of patients. There were significant decreases in SaO2 in Group IV-MMB, mean 4.5 +/- 1.7% (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)