[Midazolam as an induction agent for surgery of the anterior segment of the eye]. / Le midazolam comme agent d'induction pour la chirurgie du segment antérieur de l'oeil.

A new water-soluble benzodiazepine, midazolam maleate, was used at a dosage of 0.15 mg X kg-1 to induce general anaesthesia for eye surgery in 30 patients. The following parameters were measured at times C (control), t1, t2 and t3 (2, 5 and 10 min after induction): systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases and eye tone. Results showed very significant changes in acid-base balance, with an increase in PaCO2 and a significant fall in eye tone; changes in haemodynamic parameters were not significant. Midazolam therefore appeared to be a good drug to use for inducing anaesthesia in eye surgery, particularly in the elderly.