Background and Objectives: Snoring generated at the level of the velopharynx is usually treated with laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), which is mostly performed under local anesthesia and on an out-patient basis. However, if
adequate
sedation is not achieved during this procedure, patients may suffer from anxiety, disgusting smell of tissue vaporization, and doctors may even be disturbed by the patients gagging or repetitive swallowing. A relatively new sedative drug,
midazolam, is
known for its improved safety, effectiveness, more rapid onset of action and shourter life in comparison to the classical sedative agent, diazepam. The authors tried to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous midazolam as a sedative
premedication for LAUP surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients designated for LAUP were divided into three groups by random double-blinded sampling. Each group received an intravenous injection of midazolam (0.05 ㎎/㎏),
diazepam
(0.1
㎎/㎏), and normal saline (0.01 ㎖/㎏) 5 minutes before the laser procedure. Vital signs were monitored before, during and after the procedure. Questionnaires about the effectiveness were give to the operator and the patients, and the scores of
the
three groups were compared statistically. Results: Vital signs were stable in all three groups throughout the entire procedure. Midazolam showed better sedative effect than placebo and diazepam. It also showed stronger analgesic and
anti-anxiety,
and more potent antegrade amnesic effects than placebo. Conclusion: Intravenous injection of midazolam is one of the effective and safe ways of premedication for patients receiving LAUP.
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