To determine the minimum time interval between oral midazolam (0.5 mg" kg -~) Accepted for publication 16th April, 1993. prdmddication (valeur de base), au moment de la sdparation et pendant I'application du masque facial h l~nduction de I'anesthisie. Nous avons trouv~ que les changements de friquence cardiaque et de pression artdrielle systolique ont dtd semblables clans les trois groupes au cours de notre dtude. Le niveau de sddation d la sdparation et l'application du masque a dtd plus dlev~ que la valeur de base et n'est pas diffdrent entre les trois groupes. Le niveau d'anxiolyse n'a pas vari~ de la valeur de base d aucun moment dans les trois groupes. Nous concluons que les enfants peuvent ~tre sdpard de leurs parents aussi prdcocdment que 10 minutes aprds avoir re~u 0,5 mg" kg -1 de midazolam par voie oral.Oral midazolam is safe and effective for premedication of children scheduled for ambulatory surgery. 1.2 It has a rapid and reliable onset of action, few side effects and does not delay recovery. McMillan et al. demonstrated that oral midazolam in doses of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg-kg -1 produced excellent sedation and anxiolysis scores 15 min after administration to children 1-6 yr and at the time of separation from parents at 30 min. I However, the ease of separation from parents was assessed at only one time, 30 min after oral midazolam premedication. Similarly, Weldon et al. recommended that oral midazolam be given 30-45 min preoperatively) It has been our experience, however, that children could be separated from their parents less than 30 rain after receiving oral midazolam without compromising the degree of sedation and anxiolysis. We therefore sought to determine the minimum time interval between administration of oral midazolam (0.5 mg. kg -l) and separation of the children from their parents that would ensure a smooth and calm separation. MethodsThis randomized study was approved by the Human Subjects Review Committee and written parental consent was obtained. Midazolam (0.5 mg-kg -I) was administered to 30 children, ASA I or II and aged 1-6 years, who CAN J ANAESTH 1993 / 40:8 / pp 726-9

Airway narrowing with increasing depth of propofol anesthesia results predominantly from a reduction in anteroposterior dimension, whereas CPAP acts primarily to increase the transverse dimension. Although airway caliber during deep propofol anesthesia and application of CPAP was similar to that during light propofol anesthesia, there were significant configurational differences.

We present two case reports describing laparoscopic surgery in patients who have undergone previous Fontan surgery and discuss the theoretical implications of laparoscopic surgery in these patients. A brief discussion of the late complications of Fontan surgery is included.