New lidocaine lozenge as topical anesthesia compared to lidocaine viscous oral solution before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect and acceptance of a new lidocaine lozenge compared with a lidocaine viscous oral solution as a pharyngeal anesthetic before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE), a diagnostic procedure commonly performed worldwide during which many patients experience severe discomfort mostly because of the gag reflex.


METHODS
The single-blinded, randomized, controlled study involved 110 adult patients undergoing diagnostic UGE at the Department of Gastroenterology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
The patients were randomized to receive either 100 mg lidocaine as a lozenge or 5 mL lidocaine viscous oral solution 2%. Intravenous midazolam was administered if needed. The effect of a lidocaine lozenge in reducing patient discomfort, including the gag reflex, during UGE compared with a lidocaine oral solution was assessed.


RESULTS
Questionnaires from the patients showed that the gag reflex was acceptable for 64% in the lozenge group compared with 33% in the oral solution group (P = 0.0072). UGE was evaluated as acceptable by 69% in the lozenge group compared with 39% in the oral solution group (P = 0.0092). The taste was evaluated as good by 78% in the lozenge group (P < 0.0001), and 82% found the lozenge to have good texture (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The lozenge reduced the gag reflex, diminished patients' discomfort during UGE, and was evaluated as having a good taste and texture. The lozenge improved patients' acceptance of UGE.
Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Stine
S
Mogensen
Charlotte
C
Treldal
Erik
E
Feldager
Sylvia
S
Pulis
Jette
J
Jacobsen
Ove
O
Andersen
Mette
M
Rasmussen