title: Does epinephrine infiltration in septoplasty make any difference? A double blind randomised controlled trial.
abstract: Infiltration of lignocaine with epinephrine is used with cocaine in septoplasty, in attempt to improve haemostasis and thereby improve the surgical field. This practice is widespread despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy in the literature. Thirty patients undergoing septoplasty were randomised into two groups -- one in whom infiltration was performed with lignocaine (2%) with adrenaline (1:80,000) and a control group who received lignocaine (2%). Both groups of patients received intranasal application of cocaine paste prior to surgery. The surgeon and anaesthetist were blinded to the contents of the infiltration. The operative field was rated by the surgeon, and the blood loss calculated. No significant difference was demonstrated in blood loss or surgical field between the groups. However there was significant rise in systolic blood pressure in patients who received epinephrine. The use of epinephrine with cocaine paste does not improve haemostasis or surgical field. As the use of epinephrine is associated with cardiac arrhythmias, the authors suggest that combined use of cocaine paste and epinephrine infiltration should be avoided in septal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Queens Hospital NHS Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Mahilravi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thevasagayam
authors.forename: Mudit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allsop
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oates
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D012225:Rhinoplasty
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008012:Lidocaine; D003042:Cocaine; D004837:Epinephrine