Abstract
The systemic administration of a cholinergic blocking agent or glucagon reduces gastrointestinal spasm. However, using these agents is inconvenient and can sometimes causes side effects. Peppermint oil could replace these agents since it has an antispasmodic effect. Therefore, the present determined whether peppermint oil is a useful antispasmodic agent during transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Eight healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. 20 ml of peppermint oil solution was administered in the antrum of the stomach, subsequently, number the times of spasms was noted. It was found that post peppermint oil solution treatment the number of antral spasms significantly reduced. The number of spasums was found to decrease one minute after the administration and the decrease lasted for 3 minutes. Thus, based in these results peppermint oil is a useful for antispasmodic agent in patients requiring transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
