Local complications following intravenous benzodiazepines in the dorsum of the hand. A comparison between midazolam and Diazemuls in sedation for dentistry.

Two hundred patients requiring sedation for minor oral surgery were randomly allocated to receive either midazolam or diazepam as Diazemuls intravenously through a 23-gauge indwelling needle in the dorsum of the hand. The site of injection was inspected at 7 days and 14 days post injection and assessed for pain, tenderness, redness, induration, painless thrombosis, and thrombophlebitis. The mean dose administered was 0.119 mg/kg of midazolam and 0.298 mg/kg of Diazemuls. At 7 days there was no significant difference in venous complications. At the 14 day follow up, the midazolam group had a significantly greater incidence of tenderness and redness (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05 respectively using Chi squared test). The incidence of thrombophlebitis in the midazolam group was 2% at 7 days and 1% at 14 days, the corresponding figures in those given Diazemuls being none and 1% respectively. We conclude that the dorsum of the hand is a satisfactory site of injection for administration of these drugs. The higher incidence of minor complications at 14 days following midazolam was offset by its more reliable amnesic properties.