Background: Minor ENT surgeries are usually performed under local anesthesia and sedation. In this study sedation  scores and peri–operative haemodynamics were compared when pre–medicated with intravenous midazolam (0.05mg/kg) or dexmedetomidine (1μg/kg) infusion.

Material and methods: Sixty patients undergoing ENT surgeries under local anesthesia randomly received either IV dexmedetomidine 1 μg kg ^–1 over 10 min  (Group D) or IV midazolam 0.05 mg kg ^–1 over 10 min (Group M) . Sedation score was assessed using Ramsay sedation score (RSS). Vital parameters, rescue sedatives (midazolam 1 mg intravenous) and any perioperative complications were recorded.

Results: The mean sedation score in group D was found to be 4.33±0.76 and in group M was 2.83±0.46 which was statistically significant (p value <0.05). Rescue sedation was required in 13 patients in the midazolam group whereas no patient needed rescue sedation in the dexmedetomidine group. There was no complication in any of the groups.

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine given in a single loading dose of 1mcg/kg could be a better alternative compared to conventional sedation with Midazolam for minor ENT procedures, since it provides a calm patient with better intraoperative haemodynamics without any complications.