The efficacy of intravenous hyoscine-N-butylbromide during colonoscopy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Colonic spasm makes colonoscope advancement difficult. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hyoscine-N-butylbromide as an antispasmodic during colonoscopy.
Method: Patients referred for elective colonoscopy were randomized into the study and placebo groups. Before the procedure, the study and placebo groups received 20 mg intra-venous hyoscine-N-butylbromide and intravenous saline solution of the same amount, respectively. Demographic and procedure--related data were recorded and compared between the groups.
Results: Of 198 patients referred for elective colonoscopy, 121 were included (study group = 60, placebo group = 61). No differences were observed between the study and placebo groups in terms of demographic data, pre-procedure characteristics, and colonoscopic characteristics including the cecal intubation time, total procedure time, bowel preparation, sedation doses, hemo-dynamic findings, endoscopist satisfaction, patient comfort, and polyp detection rate. The only difference was an increase in the heart rate by 32% in the study group after hyoscine-N-butyl-bromide administration (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Hyoscine-N-butylbromide did not reduce the time to reach the cecum and the total colonoscopy time, and patient and endoscopist satisfaction and polyp detection rate did not change. Furthermore, it was concluded that hyoscine-N-butylbromide can increase the risk of drug-related complications.
(© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.)