Effects of Buscopan on gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia

This prospective study was undertaken to establish whether Buscopan (hyosine butyl bromide) interferes with the detection of a hiatus hernia or induces gastro-oesophageal reflux. One hundred and four consecutive patients were included in the study who came for barium meal and swallow examinations over a period of 3 months. Ten patients were excluded from the study. The examinations were performed by the author. The manoeuvres to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia were performed before and after intravenous Buscopan. It was found that Buscopan does not induce gastro-oesophageal reflux in the majority of patients, or interfere with detection of a hiatus hernia. The conclusion of this study is that Buscopan can be given early on in the barium meal examination without a significant effect on hiatal function.