Dilatation of radiation-induced esophageal strictures under sublingual buprenorphine analgesia: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Pain during dilatation of radiation strictures is a troublesome complaint. There is little information on sedation and analgesia during this procedure. We performed a pilot study to compare the analgesic efficacy of sublingual buprenorphine and intravenous pentazocine during dilatation of radiation-induced esophageal strictures.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with esophageal cancer who had radiation-induced strictures were randomized to receive either buprenorphine 0.2 mg sublingually two hours before dilatation (n = 17) or pentazocine 30 mg intravenously five minutes before dilatation (n = 14). Dilatation was considered successful if it could be performed to 12 mm diameter or more. Pain experienced during dilatation was graded as mild, moderate or severe.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients in the buprenorphine group and 12 in the pentazocine group were dilated to > 12 mm size (p = ns). Twelve and nine patients respectively in the two groups experienced mild or no pain; ten and six patients had minor side-effects (p = ns).


CONCLUSIONS
Buprenorphine is useful for sedoanalgesia during dilatation of radiation-induced strictures of the esophagus.
Desai
D C
DC
Division of Gastroenterology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Wagle
S D
SD
Mohandas
K M
KM
Swaroop
V S
VS
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010423:Pentazocine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine; D010423:Pentazocine