Propofol vs traditional sedative agents for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography:A meta-analysis

AIM:To investigate the efficacy and safety of propofol sedation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).METHODS:Databases including PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials updated as of October 2010 were searched.Main outcome measures were ERCP procedure duration,recovery time,incidence of hypotension and hypoxia.RESULTS:Six trials with a total of 663 patients were included.The pooled mean difference in ERCP procedure duration between the propofol and traditional sedative agents was-8.05(95%CI:-16.74 to 0.63),with no significant difference between the groups.Thepooled mean difference in the recovery time was-18.69(95%CI:-25.44 to-11.93),which showed a significant reduction with use of propofol sedation.Compared with traditional sedative agents,the pooled OR with propofol sedation for ERCP causing hypotension or hypoxia was 1.69(95%CI:0.82-3.50)and 0.90(95%CI:0.55-1.49),respectively,which indicated no significant difference between the groups.CONCLUSION:Propofol sedation during ERCP leads to shorter recovery time without an increase of cardiopulmonary side effects.Propofol sedation can provide adequate sedation during ERCP.