[Continuous sedation for regional anesthesia with propofol (Disoprivan) and midazolam (Dormicum). A comparative study].

Unlabelled: Propofol was compared to midazolam with regard to its quality as a sedative in regional anesthesia. 81 patients undergoing varicose-vein stripping under epidural anesthesia were divided into two groups: 39 were given propofol and 42 were given midazolam. Both groups were then subdivided into 3 subgroups. 30 min after epidural block, a bolus of propofol 1 mg/kg or midazolam 0.03 mg/kg was given followed by infusion of equipotent solutions: propofol 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg/h or midazolam 0.03, 0.045, 0.06 mg/kg/h. Continuous registration of blood pressure, respiratory rate, and end-expiratory pCO2 was carried out and blood gas analysis was performed every 30 min.

Results: Clinically unimportant changes of circulatory and respiratory parameters were seen. Blood gas analyses showed hypercapnia greater than 50 mmHg in some patients. Brief apnea occurred after bolus propofol in 7.7% of cases and pain during injection in 66.6%. Restlessness: propofol 28.2%, midazolam 9.5%. Upper airway obstruction: propofol 30.8%, midazolam 57.1%. Recovery time after infusion ranged from 130 s with propofol to 26 min with midazolam. Postoperative evaluation included the following questions and responses: Sedation pleasant? propofol 97.5%, midazolam 100%. Sleep during surgery? propofol 94.8%, midazolam 83.5%. Prolonged tiredness? propofol 25.6%, midazolam 69%. Postoperative nausea? propofol 38.5%, midazolam 14.2%. Vomiting? propofol 17.9%, midazolam 11.9%. Our study showed that propofol is highly suitable as a sedative for regional anesthesia in spite of injection pain and frequent postoperative nausea. It is superior to midazolam because of the significantly shorter recovery time, providing improved control-lability and reduced posthypnotic sleep.