Topical pharyngeal anesthesia without intravenous sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
BACKGROUND
There have been conflicting reports about the usefulness of topical pharyngeal anesthesia as a pre-endoscopic medication.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of topical pharyngeal anesthesia without intravenous sedatives on easing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.


METHODS
153 consecutive consenting patients were randomized to receive either placebo (normal saline) spray (78 patients) or 80 mg of 4% lidocaine spray (75 patients). Difficulty of intubation was judged both by the patient and the physician on a linear analogue scale.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the scores in the two groups (p > 0.05). The patient and physician assessments correlated well.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical lignocaine spray does not facilitate upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the absence of intravenous sedation.
Dhir
V
V
Division of Medical Gastroenterology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Swaroop
V S
VS
Vazifdar
K F
KF
Wagle
S D
SD
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010614:Pharynx
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine