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. 2025 Sep 4;399(2):1851–1869. doi: 10.1007/s00210-025-04557-2

Table 2.

Summary of the included studies

STUDY  STUDY DESIGN COUNTRY ANESTHESIA
INDUCTION
ANESTHESIA
MAINTENANCE
TOTAL
PARTICIPANTS
FOLLOW-UP
DURATION
MAIN
INCLUSION
CITERIA
PRIMARY
OUTCOMES
CONCLUSION
TOSUN2007 prospective, randomized, double blinded Turkey Propofol/Ketamen Propofol/fentanyl propofol 90 2 hours ASA I-II, aged 1 to 16-year-old patients "Heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), and Ramsey sedation scores" the PK combination provided better tolerance of endoscope insertion and better hemodynamic stability but side effects were more frequent in this group. Restlessness during endoscopy was observed more often in the PF group than in the PK group.
 AKBULUT et al. 2017)  prospective, randomized, single blinded  Turkey  Midozolam/ketamine Fentanyl/propofol Ketamine propofol  238 N/E  patients who underwent UGE for diagnostic purposes  RSS

-midazolam–ketamine combination

were more comfortable than that in the fentanyl–propofol group during the procedure.

-the recovery time was longer in the midazolam–ketamine group. -the fentanyl–propofol group was more comfortable in the recovery period in terms of complications."

 PATINO 2015  prospective, randomized  USA  Group IS (Sevoflurane) Group IP-airway management with intubation and anesthetic maintenance with propofol Group NA-native airway with oxygen supplementation by nasal cannula and maintenance with propofol. N/E 180 N/E children aged 1–12 years with ASA physical status I or II presenting for outpatient EGD -incidence of respiratory complications: minor desaturation (SpO2 between 94% and 85%), severe desaturation (SpO2 < 85%), apnea, bronchospasm, aspiration, airway obstruction, laryngospasm, and trauma during airway manipulation. -an increased incidence of respiratory complications in nonintubated patients maintained with propofol; endotracheal intubation was seen to greatly reduce the incidence of adverse airway events during EGD.-the general anesthesia with propofol and the native airway during EGD was associated with a higher incidence of respiratory complications, including minor desaturation, severe desaturation, inadequate anesthesia and apnea, compared with endotracheal intubation; no improvement in institutional efficiency was seen with avoidance of endotracheal intubation.
USTUN 2021 prospective, randomized Turkey Ketamine/propofol Tramadol/propofol Propofol 80 N/E ASA physical status I–II patients, ages 1 to 18 who were scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGIE) The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), and Ramsay sedation scores combination of tramadol-propofol result in a faster recovery without increase the rate of adverse effects. However, patients required additional propofol due to insufficient sedation, so tramadol should be considered for short procedures.
WANG  2022 prospective, randomized, double-blinded China Group P (S-Ketamine 0 mg/kg) Group S0.3 (S-Ketamine 0.3 mg/kg) Group S0.5 (S-Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg) Group S0.7 (S-Ketamine 0.7 mg/kg) Propofol 120 N/E School-aged children (6 to 12 years old) with ASA I or II and undergoing gastro duodenoscopy were enrolled. smooth placement rate  of first endoscope insertion. -S-ketamine could improve the tolerance and the smooth placement rate during endoscope insertion, which was positively related to the dosage of S-ketamine.-combined administration of S-ketamine and propofol can increase the tolerance of school- aged children during endoscopic insertion. Moreover, the smooth placement rate during the frst endoscope insertion is positively correlated with the dose of S-ket- amine. S-ketamine administration at 0.7 mg.kg−1can maintain hemodynamic stability in children, reduce the number of additional propofol and the total amount of propofol, and improve endoscopist satisfaction. However, dizziness is the most common adverse event with 73.3% incidence and may prolong PACU stay.
YAO 2021 prospective, randomized China Lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) Control group (Saline) lidocaine saline 40 60 min after the procedure "children aged 5–12 years who were scheduled for colonoscopy" propofol requirement, intravenous lidocaine can be safely used in paediatric patients undergoing colonoscopy, reducing the required propofol by 35.5%. Awakening and recovery times were signifcantly reduced in the lidocaine group, as well as the number of involuntary body movements. Patients in the lidocaine group had signifcantly lower pain scores after colonoscopy than those in the control group.
YUAN  2022 prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo China Group S (Saline) Group L (Lidocaine) Sufentanil Propofol 40 N/E children aged from 3 to 10 years undergoing colonoscopy under sedation were included in our study, Intraoperative propofol and sufentanil requirements and the number of oxygen desaturation episodes (defined as peripheral capillary oxygen desaturation (SpO2) less than 95% and 90%). adding i.v. lidocaine as an adjuvant drug could significantly reduce the propofol and sufentanil requirements for pediatric colonoscopy and at the same time, shorten the recovery time.
AMER 2020 RCT Egypt Dexmedetomidine-ketamine Propofol-ketamine 120 N/E Patients with the ASA physical status I-II, between 2 and 7 years old who are scheduled for elective diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy Hemodynamic variables including Heart Rate (HR), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Respiratory Rate (RR) and Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), The incidence of significant hypotension, recovery time, dosage of anesthesia, post-procedure complications, and endoscopist satisfaction Propofol-ketamine was superior in reducing recovery time for pediatric patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and is prefereable is short diagnostic procedures while Dexmedetomidine-ketamine required a lower dose so it is better in long procedures
BRECELJ  2012 RCT Slovenia Midazolam and Ketamine Ketamine Propofol 201 atleast 1 month Patients between 1-19 years old suitable for IV anesthesia Adverse events The addition of midazolam to ketamine sedation proved to be safe with the ability to reduce the number of emergency events in the hospital
DAMPS  2019 RCT Poland Propofol and Ketamine Propofol and Remifentanil Propofol Propofol and Remifentanil 90 N/E Children with ASA I who were enrolled for elective endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract under general anaesthesia respiratory and circulatory parameters, adverse events, waking time and the child’s condition post-operation The addition of ketamine to propofol was superior in induction of anesthesia while the addition of remifentanil was superior in recovery and improving post-operative mood and both additions were safe
HAYES  2018 Randomized, double-blind, four-arm trial Canada Ketamine 0 mg/kg Ketamine 0.25 mg/kg Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg Ketamine 1 mg/kg Propofol 56 N/E Children aged 3-12 yr undergoing elective gastro-duodenoscopy - ED50 of propofol - Mean arterial pressure - Incidence of nausea and visual disturbances Ketamine at 0.5e1 mg kge1 reduces the dose of propofol required to provide general anaesthesia for gastro-duodenoscopy  in children and may reduce the incidence of propofol-related changes in haemodynamics.
KARACAER  2018 Randomised, double blind Turkey Remifentanil and ketamine Propofol and Ketamine Remifentanil Propofol 70 N/E ASA I-II Children aged 2-16-years undergoing colonoscopy procedure with sedation - To measure the efficacy of PK and RK combinations on RSSs Coadministration of ketamine with either remifentanil or propofol effectively and safely provides sedation and analgesia in children undergoing colonoscopy. Sedation scores were significantly better in remifentanil-ketamine group than in propofol-ketamine group
KHODADAD  2016 Randomised, double blind Iran 0.5 mg/kg Oral midazolam 0.1 mg/kg IV midazolam N/E 120 N/E 1 to 16-year-old patients who require diagnostic upper endoscopy and the ASA class I and II. - The assessment of the safety and efficacy of oral midazolam and intravenous midazolam in terms of vital signs, oxygen saturation, and adverse effects. Oral or IV midazolam were not able to put most patients in deep sedation level
SIENKIEWICSZ  2015 Blind randomized trial Poland atropine (10 mcg/kg) alfentanyl (5 mcg/kg) lignocaine (0.5 mg/kg) midazolam (0.025 mg/kg). propofol Midazolam 51 120 minutes after the procedure Children at the age of 9–16 years, classified to the first or second class of the American Society of Anaesthesiologists’ physical status classification level of pain, level of pain, Procedure memory In children sedated for EGD, propofol is significantly better than midazolam at providing procedural amnesia and controlling behaviour during the procedure.
BEDIRLI  2012 Randomised, double blind Turkey fentanyl (2 ug.Kg-1) with propofol (1.5 ug.Kg-1) Tramadol (2 ug.Kg-1) with propofol (1.5 ug.Kg-1) N/E 80 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes patients with ASA I-II, aged 1–16 years, changes in oxygen saturation, changes in sedation score, Adverse effects Tramadol in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE provided sedation as efficient as fentanyl with a better hemodynamic and respiratory stability and provided a superior safety and tolerance in younger children.
RAFEEY  2010 prospective, randomized Iran oral midazolam  (0.5 mg/kg) i.v. midazolam (0.05–0.1 mg/kg) N/E 61 SpO2, HR, SAP, and RR were recorded just before the midazolam was introduced (T0m), 10 min after midazolam (T10m), during the procedure (Ten), and 10 min after removal of the endoscope (Ten10). 61 consecutive children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were prospectively included in the study (range, 1–16 years) compare the safety and efficacy of oral versus i.v. midazolam in providing sedation for pediatric upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy Oral administration of midazolam is a safe and effective method of sedation that significantly reduces anxiety and improves overall tolerance for children undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
ALI 2004 double-blind, randomized trial USA fentanyl (1 ¹g/kg) meperidine (1 mg/kg) midazolam 24 60 and 120 min after the procedure Pediatric patients between 2 and 18 years of age who underwent esophagogastrodu odenoscopy (EGD) and/or colonoscopy for routine clinical indications This study compared the safety and efficacy of fentanyl and meperidine for analgesia in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy Meperidine and Fentanyl are equally effective in providing analgesia for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.
DISMA 2005 randomized, prospective, three-study-group Italy propofol alone (Group P) propofol with fentanyl 1 μg kg 1 (Group PF) propofol with midazolam 0.1mgkg 1 (Group PM) Additional doses of propofol 240 Patient recovery was assessed at 5 min intervals paediatric outpatients, ASA I–II, aged 1–12-yr old, scheduled for diagnostic endoscopic procedures of the upper gastrointestinal tract investigate sedation in children using propofol alone or combined with fentanyl or midazolam with regard to efficacy, adverse reactions or side-effects related to the drugs, ease of operation for the endoscopist, and time to discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit Propofol in combination with fentanyl or midazolam gives better sedation and ease of endoscopy than propofol alone
PASPATIS  2006 Prospective, Randomized Study Greece oral 0.5 mg/kg of midazolam (maximum dose 20 mg) and IV doses of propofol 0.5 mg/kg IV doses of propofol 0.5 mg/kg N/E 54 N/E Children (aged 3 y or older) who underwent Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopies (UGIE) compare the required dose of intravenous (IV) propofol between group A (synergistic sedation with an oral dose of midazolam combined with IV propofol) and group B (IV propofol alone), in diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) in pediatric patients Synergistic sedation with an oral dose of midazolam combined with propofol may benefit the children who undergo UGIE with regard to lower mean dose of propofol used, easier IV line placement, easier separation from the parents, less pain induced by the IV line placement and greater patient comfort

N/E not evaluated