Introduction:Conscious sedation(CS)is the induction of a decreased level of consciousness while maintaining the patient's ability to breathe on their own.CS finds a middle ground.

Objective:This study aimed to determine the contribution of CS in bronchoscopy compared to local anesthesia(LA)in terms of patient comfort and safety.

Methods:Prospective,randomized,controlled,single-blind,two-arm and interventional study conducted in the pneumology department of the military hospital of Tunis in 2022,including 93 patients hospitalized for bronchoscopy.The first group(GM)included 46patients who underwent bronchoscopy under LA with lidocaine and CS with midazolam by intravenous injection.The second group(GC)included 47patients who received bronchoscopy under LA with lidocaine and placebo(isotonic saline solution).The study protocol was approved by the hospital's ethics committee.Consent to participate in the study was obtained.Patients,over 18 years of age with no contraindications to midazolam were included.The primary judging criterion was patient comfort determined by the numerical comfort scale at H3 and H24 post-procedure.Immediate and late complications were assessed.

Results:The two groups were comparable in terms of age(median age of 50years GM versus 57years GC).In GM,the mean numerical comfort scale was significantly higher:at H3(8.6 versus 5.28 GC;p<0.05)and at H24(9.22 versus 5.4 GC;p<0.05).Patients agreed to repeat the examination under identical conditions;at H3(78% GM versus 60% GC;p=0.049)and H24(87% GM versus 56% GC;p=0.025).No serious complications were noted in either group.

Conclusion:CS with midazolam is a safe procedure optimizing patient comfort during bronchoscopy with no additional risk of complications.