A comparison of xylometazoline (Otrivine) and phenylephrine/lignocaine mixture (Cophenylcaine) for the purposes of rigid nasendoscopy: a prospective, double-blind, randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture (Cophenylcaine) nasal spray performs better than xylometazoline (Otrivine) spray for the purposes of out-patient rigid nasendoscopy preparation.


METHODS
Prospective, double-blind, randomised trial comparing visual analogue scores for out-patients receiving either phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture or xylometazoline, prior to undergoing rigid nasendoscopy as part of their assessment.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients requiring rigid nasendoscopy as part of their assessment were recruited to the study from Raigmore Hospital's out-patient clinic. These patients were randomised to receive a nasal spray comprising either phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture or xylometazoline, 10 minutes prior to rigid nasendoscopy. Double-blinding was adopted. After the procedure, the patient and the doctor independently completed separate visual analogue score-based questionnaires regarding the pain of the procedure and the ease of the examination, respectively.


RESULTS
Analysis of the data using standardised statistical methods demonstrated that the phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture did not perform better than xylometazoline, to any statistically significant extent.


CONCLUSIONS
Phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture is considerably more expensive and has potentially more side effects than xylometazoline. These study findings suggest that it is difficult to justify the use of phenylephrine-lignocaine mixture over xylometazoline, for nasal preparation prior to rigid nasendoscopy.
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Scotland, UK. neilmccluney@doctors.org.uk
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McCluney
C Y
CY
Eng
M S W
MS
Lee
L G
LG
McClymont
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000336:Aerosols; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007093:Imidazoles; C546419:phenylephrine, lidocaine drug combination; D010656:Phenylephrine; D008012:Lidocaine; C009695:xylometazoline