Patient-controlled sedation with propofol and alfentanil during colonoscopy: a pilot study

Patient controlled sedation (PCS) is becoming increasingly popular in day-case surgery and has the potential for use during endoscopy. We aimed to examine its safety and acceptability during colonoscopy in a pilot study using alfentanil and propofol and assess its influence on the patient's recovery time.

Sixteen otherwise healthy patients undergoing colonoscopy were attached to a Graseby 3300 PCA pump containing propofol 400 mg and alfentanil 1 mg (total volume 42 ml) and gave themselves bolus of 0.5 ml whenever they became uncomfortable.

All patients tolerated the procedure well and found the PCS easy to use. There were no serious haemodynamic or respiratory complications and patients recovered quickly after the procedure, irrespective of the dose of drug given.

PCS with propofol and alfentanil is an effective, short-acting form of sedation for patients undergoing colonoscopy and may be an alternative to benzodiazepines.