Clinical evaluation of propofol plus remifentanil target-controlled infusion in senile patients undergoing colonoscopy

Aim To investigate the safety, validity and feasibility of target-controlled infusion of propofol plus remifentanil on senile patients with painless colonoscopy. Methods Sixty seven senile patients scheduled for colonoscopy were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A included 34 patients and the control group (group B) 33 patients. Patients in group A was given traget-controlled infusion of propofol plus remifentanil. During the examination the propofol was maintained at a target plasma concentration of 0.5 ～ 1.0 μg/ml, and remifetanil of 0.5 ～ 1.0 ng/ml at the same time. Patients in group B underwent routine performance. Colonoscope inserting began when patients achieved Ramsay score II, and stopped infusion when colonoscopy reached ileocecal region. SBP, DBP, HR, SpO2 and the adverse reactions before, during and after the examination were recorded. Results The patient achieved Ramsay score of 2 on the group A was 97.1%, and the group B achieved Ramsay score of 1 was 100% (P 0.01). The level of SBP, DBP and HR had no significant changes during the colonoscopy in group A, but in group B, significant higher levels of SBP, DBP and HR were observed during the examination (P 0.05). Compared with group B, patients in group A has lesser body movements and groan (P 0.01), and higher technical success rate and satisfaction (P 0.01). There was no respiratory depression in group A. Conclusion The present study suggests that the target-controlled infusion of propofol plus remifentanil in senile patients has good anesthetic effect, steady hemodynamics, the higher technical success rate and well toleration. It is a safe, effective, reliable and painless anesthetic method in colonoscopy.