Pharynx Analgesia Before Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: a Prospective, Randomized Comparative Trial

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may be done with topical anesthesia of the pharynx with xilocaine spray, with conscious sedation with midazolam or with general anesthesia with propofol. In Romania, the endoscopist may only offer topical pharyngeal anesthesia, any other sedation or anesthesia needs the presence of an anesthesiologist on premises.

Xilocaine spray improves the gag reflux and the satisfaction score of the patient as well as the ease of insertion and the satisfaction score of the endoscopist.

A study published in 2010 has compared the tolerance of upper GI endoscopy in patients in which the topical anesthesia of the pharynx has been done using Strepsils Plus with xilocaine versus xilocaine spray. The group of patients with Strepsils Plus had a significantly lower tolerance, lower anesthesia score, a higher gag score and a higher disconfort score versus patients in group with xilocaine spray.

Nevertheless, topical pharyngeal anesthesia with benzocaine spray and in much lesser degree with xilocaine spray may lead to a very rare adverse reaction, namely methemoglobinemia. That is why, an safer alternative to xilocaine spray would be desirable at this moment.

Question at which the research protocol is trying to answer The investigators intent to evaluate whether a topical pharyngeal anti inflammatory molecule, a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID), that is Strepsils Intensive with honey and lemon which contains flurbiprofen 8.75mg before upper GI endoscopy plus xilocaine spray improves the satisfaction score of the patient as compared to standard xilocaine spray alone.