The effect of co-induction with midazolam upon recovery from propofol infusion anaesthesia

Forty-eight patients undergoing day-case anaesthesia were asked to complete pre- and postoperative tests of psychomotor function in order to study the influence of co-induction with midazolam in conjunction with propofol/alfentanil anaesthesia on postoperative psychomotor recovery. The study was placebo controlled and double blind with patients receiving either 0.03 mgkg^?1 of midazolam or saline 2 min before induction of anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil. Patients who underwent co-induction with midazolam had significantly impaired concentration and rapidity of response but improved accuracy and vigilance when compared with those who received saline. The study confirmed that co-induction with a subanaesthetic dose of midazolam reduced the induction dose of propofol by up to 50%. We conclude that co-induction with midazolam reduces psychomotor recovery in the immediate postoperative phase following propofol infusion anaesthesia.