A randomized comparison of midazolam and diazepam for sedation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

One hundred and eighty-five patients were allocated at random to receive pethidine with diazepam (in an emulsion), or pethidine with midazolam i.v. as sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Sedation and conditions for examination were comparable and satisfactory in both groups. Midazolam produced more amnesia (P = less than 0.001), and scored higher in patients' opinion (P = less than 0.001); it was associated with a slightly greater frequency of venous sequelae, but the difference in thrombophlebitis was not statistically significant. Recovery of sensory--motor performance, as assessed by Trieger test, was still incomplete 2 h after endoscopy with both drug regimens.