2018 Volume 45 Issue 3 Pages 461-465
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that puts the patient under great stress as the unique bitterness of xylocaine used as the pharyngeal anesthetic enhances discomfort and pain. To alleviate this problem, we added substances to impart different flavors and scents to this pharyngeal anesthetic. The study included 500 patients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy since January 2016. We added 2mL of scented simple syrup to 5mL of viscose xylocaine and froze the mixture. To experience a variety of tastes, patients chose from five types of the pharyngeal anesthetic mixture for the test: a fragrance-free mixture and four mixtures with general scents, namely strawberry, melon, coffee, and orange; subsequently, a questionnaire survey was distributed among the participants. As per the questionnaire responses, the flavors selected in descending order of preference were coffee, strawberry, orange, and melon. The effect on mood was improved in 90% of patients, 70% of patients tasted reduced bitterness, and 30% of patients felt that the mixture had a pleasant taste. The coffee-scented mixture received the highest evaluation, and 99% of patients expressed their desire for the scented frozen anesthesia for the next time. It is thought that the reason why the effect on mood was improved in 90% of subjects was the presence of a scent and flavor in the anesthetic as well as the availability of the option for them to actively select one specific mixture from several as per their preference. Furthermore, it is possible that selecting a mixture from a list of mixtures by consulting with a nurse led to relaxation of the patients. Because 99% of patients wished for the same mixture for the next time, we believe that the utilization of scented and flavored anesthetics is worth pursuing in the future. The coffee mixture received the most favorable reviews, which suggested that the scent of coffee, which is bitter by nature, reduced the bitterness of the anesthetic. We hope to devise more mixtures of different flavors and scents and investigate whether powdered green tea has a similar effect, with the aim of reducing stress by providing more acceptable pharyngeal anesthetics.
