A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY TO EVALUATE THE ANALGESIC AND SEDATIVE EFFECTS OF FENTANYL AND MIDAZOLAM TO NALBUPHINE AND MIDAZOLAM IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING AWAKE FIBEROPTIC

Background- Awake nasal or oral flexible fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) is technique of choice in known or anticipated difficult airway . The main aim was to have calm and cooperative patient who can follow verbal commands while maintaining adequate oxygenation . In our study, we compared the analgesic and sedative effects of fentanyl and midazolam with nalbuphine and midazolam in patients undergoing awake fiberoptic intubationmore tolerable and comfortable for the patient but also to ensure optimal intubating conditions. 

Material and Methods– A prospective, randomized comparison study among patients between the age of 18 and 60yrs of either sex, with anticipated difficult airway . We compared the analgesic and sedative effects of fentanyl and midazolam with nalbuphine and midazolam in patients undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation. The primary objectives of our study were to observe the level of sedation, intubation score and OAS score after completion of procedure. The secondary objectives included assessment of patient comfort, intubation time, hemodynamic changes and complications.

Results – We found that comfort score and intubation time were significant lesser in Group which received fentanyl and midazolam than Group which received nalbuphine and midazolam . (p<0.05). The intubation attempt was similar in both groups (P>0.05). 

Conclusion– we concluded that both regimens used in this study provided comparable intubating conditions, better sedation and analgesia was observed in group fentanyl for airway procedure events. Our study concluded fentanyl to be the drug of choice for blunting of pressor response in such patients.