Variation in taste of topical lignocaine anaesthesia for gastroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution and determinants of taste variation for lignocaiine spray (Xylocaine; Astra Pharmaceuticals, King's Langley, UK).


METHODS
Sixty-nine patients (male:female 49:20, mean age 48.5 years) attending for open access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were studied. Taste perceived after applying 4 doses (40 mg) of lignocaine spray to the oro-pharynx was recorded prior to endoscopy.


RESULTS
37/69 (54%, 95% CI: 41-66%) perceived the taste of the lignocaine spray as bitter. whilst 24/69 (35%, 95% CI: 24-47%) and 6/69 (9%, 95% CI: 3-18%) perceived the taste as either fruity/sweet or tasteless. The variation in taste did not correlate with either demographic features or H. pylori inflection, but duodenal ulceration was slightly more common amongst bitter tasters.


CONCLUSIONS
The taste of lignocaine is not uniform, but the basis of this variability is uncertain.
Asante
M A
MA
Department of Gastroenterology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. asantem@sghms.ac.uk
Northfield
T C
TC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013649:Taste
D000336:Aerosols; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine