METHOHEXITAL INFUSION TECHNIQUE FOR CONSCIOUS SEDATION

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a methohexital infu sion technique for conscious sedation in oral surgical procedures, Pat ients were evaluated for recall, comfort, recovery, and surgeon's esti mate of cooperation, Materials and Methods: Twenty adult (mean age, 29 years) ASA I or II patients requiring various dentoalveolar procedure s were entered into the study. Administration of 1.5 mu g/kg fentanyl and 1 mg midazolam were given until sedation was achieved, An infusion of methohexital was started using 50 mu g/kg/min and increased as nee ded to 75 mu g/kg/min. Postoperatively, visual analog scales were used to evaluate the efficacy of the technique. Results: The average total amount of methohexital infused was 257 mg for an average surgical tim e of 88 minutes. Recovery times were short and uneventful. Patients we re cleared for discharge in under 35 minutes, No cardiac or respirator y side effects were noted other than a mild increase (< 15%) in heart rate, Shivering and hiccoughing were noted in two and four cases, resp ectively. Recall of surgical events reported by patients was low, and patient cooperation was high as reported by surgeons, Conclusion: The continuous infusion of methohexital for conscious sedation has been sh own to be safe, effective, inexpensive, and well accepted by patients and surgeons.