Low-dose fentanyl-midazolam combination improves sevoflurane induction in adults

Purpose We investigated the effects of a combination of low-dose fentanyl-midazolam premedication on the speed of inhaled induction with sevoflurane and ProSeal™ laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion conditions. Methods Eighty adult patients undergoing elective surgery were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either a normal saline placebo (Group PLAC) or a fentanyl 0.6 μg · kg −1 and midazolam 9 μg · kg −1 premedication (Group FM) 5 min before tidal volume sevoflurane 8%/O 2 induction. Anxiety levels, times to loss of eyelash reflex (LER) and PLMA insertion, and cardiorespiratory data were recorded. Results Times to LER (Group PLAC: 66 ± 34 sec vs Group FM: 47 ± 18 sec, P = 0.0027, difference = 19 sec: 95% confidence interval [CI] 7–31 sec) and to PLMA insertion (Group PLAC: 186 ± 80 sec vs Group FM: 119 ± 44 sec, P