Significant and safe shortening of the recovery time after flumazenil-reversed midazolam sedation.

Background: Endoscopy under midazolam sedation requires a 2-h recovery facility.

Aim: To study the potential of shortening patients' stay without jeopardizing patients' safety by the use of the benzodiazepine-antagonist flumazenil in the everyday practice and to investigate the feasibility of a study comparing midazolam with recovery with midazolam-flumazenil and immediate discharge.

Methods: Consecutive ambulatory patients referred for endoscopy under midazolam sedation with ASA I or II, escorted by a person, were eligible.