Summary
Diazepam was administered as an adjunct to endoscopic premedication in 260 patients undergoing examination in both in- and outpatient settings.
The technic entailed intravenous administration of diazepam plus meperidine just prior to instrumentation. Satisfactory results were obtained in 87.7% of the subjects (179 patients).
Intravenous diazepam alone was administered to 6 patients just prior to endoscopy. This was not found to allow satisfactory examinations, since the gag reflex was not obliterated.
Evaluation of diazepam by double-blind technic in 50 patients showed that only 55% of the endoscopic examinations were satisfactory in the placebo group, and 76.6% in the diazepam group.
Diazepam is a useful adjunct to endoscopic premedication since it induces sedation and voluntary muscle relaxation without increasing the dangers of cardiovascular collapse and respiratory arrest. When combined with meperidine it offers a practical technic for preparing patients for endoscopic examination without the need for general or local anesthesia, or large doses of potentially harmful drugs.
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Ticktin, H.E., Trujillo, N.P. Evaluation of diazepam for pre-endoscopy medication. Digest Dis Sci 10, 979–984 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233372
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02233372