Comparison of Remifentanil as a Sole Agent or in Combination With Midazolam Versus Fentanyl/Midazolam During Sedation for Colonoscopy

Two minutes before the colonoscopy procedure, a bolus of midazolam 0.03mg/Kg and 1.5microgram/Kg fentanyl will be given intravenously over 60 sec in group 1. 0.5 mg of midazolam intravenously can be given every two minutes till the patient is sufficiently sedated (sleeping but arousable on calling). The colonoscopy can start at this end point. Increments of 0.5mcg/Kg of fentanyl will be given if patient complains of pain, which can be repeated every 5 minutes if there is persistent pain.

The patient in group 2 Target controlled infusion of Remifentanil to 3.0 ng/ml will be started 2 minutes before procedure. The patient will then be given same doses of midazolam in 0.5 mg increments till sedated sufficiently (sleeping but arousable on verbal command). During Colonoscopy the dose of Remifentanil could be increased by 0.5ng/ml if patient complained of pain upto 4.0ng/ml.

The group 3 patient will receive only Remifentanil in the same doses as given in group