Comparison of i.v. sedation with midazolam and inhalation sedation with isoflurane in dental outpatients.

I.v. midazolam was compared with inhalation sedation using isoflurane in 80 dental outpatients. Preoperative anxiety was comparable in both groups and decreased after operation to similar values. The dental surgeon and the patients rated the techniques as equally satisfactory. Midazolam produced faster induction of sedation (P less than 0.001) and more amnesia for the injection of local analgesic (P less than 0.001), whereas isoflurane produced more euphoria (P less than 0.01) and quicker recovery (P less than 0.001). The incidence of postoperative side effects was similar in the two groups.