Patient-controlled sedation using midazolam.

Midazolam was given for sedation as an initial bolus, followed by either a continuous infusion or a patient controlled infusion during third molar extractions. The results showed that there were no significant changes in blood pressure, pulse rate or oxygen saturation during the procedure. Both methods gave good amnesia to events at the start, (100%), as well as to events during, (70% and 75%), and at the end, (61% and 70%), of surgery. There was high acceptance of both methods of sedation (93% and 98% respectively). There was no patient preference for either method of sedation, nor was the operator able to distinguish between the two methods. Hence it is concluded that patient controlled infusion and continuous infusion of midazolam are both satisfactory methods of sedation for patients undergoing surgery under local anaesthesia.