Value of premedication of pronase and simethicone for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of premedication of pronase and simethicone before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods A total of 4 690 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from January 2014 to November 2014 were recruited at gastrointestinal endoscopy center in Beijing Military General Hospital. All patients were randomized into 3 groups. The pronase plus simethicone group(n=1 602) took 40 ml mixed solution of pronase, sodium bicarbonate and simethicone orally 20 minutes before endoscopy. The simethicone group(n=1 548) took 40 ml simethicone orally 20 minutes before endoscopy. And the control group(n=1 540) took 10 ml lidocaine hydrochloride mucilage orally 5 minutes before endoscopy. The visibility during gastroscopy was observed. Results Each patient underwent gastroscopy, and no severe adverse event occurred during the procedure. The visibility of 82.3%(n=1 318) of the pronase plus simethicone group, 67.7%(n=1 048) of the simethicone group and 28.1% patients(n=432) of the control group respectively reached grade A or B. The visibility during gastroscopy in the pronase plus simethicone group was higher than that in the simethicone group(χ2=89.42, P=0.000), while that in the simethicone group was higher than that of the control group(χ2=486.30, P=0.000). Conclusion Premedication of pronase and simethicone can improve the visibility during gastroscopy. Key words: Gastroscopy; Pronase; Simethicone; Visual fields