Anaesthesia in Paediatric Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy: Comparison between Dexmedetomidine/Propofol, and Midazolam/Propofol

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract: Paediatric bronchoscopy requires a deep level of anaesthesia of relatively short duration. This prospective randomized study compared the effectiveness of a low-dose infusion of propofol in combination with either dexmedetomidine, or midazolam for intravenous anaesthesia in paediatric patients undergoing bronchoscopy. Sixty paediatric patients, ASA I-II boys and girls, aged 2-10 yr and body weight between 12–30 kg, undergoing elective rigid bronchoscopy for removal of airway foreign bodies were studied. Patients were allocated into 2 groups: Group (D/P) received dexmedetomidine with propofol infusion, and Group (M/P) received midazolam with propofol infusion. There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards demographic characteristics, and haemodynamic data. It was noticed that time to full recovery was significantly more rapid in the dexmedetomidine/propofol group. No postoperative complications were reported. It was concluded that dexmedetomidine in combination with propofol anaesthesia is a safe, practical alternative for paediatric patients undergoing bronchoscopy and may be preferable to midazolam/propofol, because of the significantly shorter recovery time.