title: Lidocaine spray versus tetracaine solution for monopolar submucosal diathermy for inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of lidocaine spray 10% to tetracaine 2% solution, as a local anaesthetic for patients undergoing monopolar submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted on 48 patients undergoing submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate. Patients were randomly assigned to receive tetracaine 2% solution (24 patients) or to receive lidocaine spray 10% (24 patients). Patients were asked to evaluate the severity of pain during the procedure using a visual analogue scale. Patient data, pain scores, and potential complications were assessed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tetracaine group had significantly lower mean pain scores compared to the lidocaine group: 2.29 vs. 3.04 (p < 0.001). There were no complications or side effects from tetracaine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tetracaine 2% solution applied locally is an easy, safe, inexpensive, and effective analgesia for submucosal diathermy for inferior turbinate hypertrophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. irakliotis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hajiioannou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bizaki
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourolias
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kyrmizakis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drivas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bizakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine