title: Lignocaine spray applicators are a potential source of cross-infection in the anaesthetic room.
abstract: Ten percent lignocaine spray is in widespread clinical use as a means of suppressing responses to tracheal intubation. It is sprayed from a multidose container into the glottis and on to the vocal cords through an applicator nozzle, which may be used on successive patients. We have investigated the likelihood of the contamination of these nozzles, with patients' mouth flora. Spray applicators from four of the 20 cases investigated showed contamination with potential bacterial pathogens. We therefore recommend that lignocaine spray should not be applied to successive patients using the same applicator nozzle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Sheffield Medical School.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Reilly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000635:transmission; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
chemical_list: D008012:Lidocaine