Pain score within twenty-four hours post-endoscopic ultrasonography: a comparison of diagnostic with or without fine needle aspiration procedure

Aim: To compare the pain score within twenty-four hours post-endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) between the diagnostic with or without fine needle aspiration (FNA) procedure in adult patients.

Patients and methods: We prospectively analyzed the patients who underwent EUS from January, 2009 to December, 2009. Pain score was compared by using visual analog scale (VAS, 0–100) and pain relief medications at 2, 6, 12, 18, 24 hour post-procedure.

Results: One hundred and twenty-four patients, 40 patients only with a diagnostic procedure (group D) and 84 patients with a diagnostic and FNA procedure (group F), were enrolled. All procedures were completed successfully. Sedative agents in both groups were propofol, midazolam and fentanyl and were comparable dose among the two groups. The mean procedural time in D and F was 39.8±19.1 and 60.6±26.0 minutes, respectively. Mean pain score at base line and at 2, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hour post-EUS was not significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, total dose of pethidine used for pain control after ERCP in both groups was not significantly different.

Conclusion: EUS-induced abdominal pain is mild and mainly occurs within six hours after the procedure. Pain score within twenty-four hours post-EUS after the diagnostic with or without fine needle aspiration procedure is comparable.