50% Nitrous Oxide and 50% Oxygen (MEOPA) Conscious Sedation Versus Placebo in Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy : Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy may generate pain, anxiety or cough and dyspnea. It may then induce discomfort and then run down its yield. Systematic local anaesthesia does not always suffice and FOB may be conducted under general anaesthesia. Premixed nitrous oxide and oxygen (MEOPA) could be efficient to avoid general anesthesia risks and to reduce organizational costs. Nitrous oxide induces anaelgesia and anxiolysis when administered in oxygen at a 50% concentration.

MEOPA is being delivered in France for every short painful medical in-patients procedure since 2001. At a concentration of 50% in oxygen, and delivered through a facial mask, it produces a conscious sedation useful during endoscopy. MEOPA safety is due to its short term effect, which ends 5 minutes after cessation of inhalation. It therefore allows ambulatory medicine.

Two randomized double blind controlled studies were driven in fiberoptic bronchoscopy (Fauroux 2004, Atassi 2005) and showed its efficacy on pain control and sedation.

We will perform our Study to estimate MEOPA efficacy in term of pain control (Visual Analogic Scale (VAS)), anxiety control (COVI Scale), cough and number of general anaesthesias, comparing FOB under MEOPA and Oxygen (double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.