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The use of lidocaine spray (Xylocaine) as a topical anaesthetic for minor ear procedures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2021

G McNally Open the ORCID record for G McNally [Opens in a new window]  and
S Izzat
G McNally*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, UK
S Izzat
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr George McNally, Flat 3, 126 Palatine Road, ManchesterM20 3ZA, UK E-mail: gem060@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background

Injectable anaesthetic agents, topical creams and aqueous solutions have previously been used to anaesthetise the tympanic membrane for minor ear procedures. Topical creams take 20–30 minutes to work and injectable anaesthetics can cause canal swelling. The effectiveness of lidocaine spray has not previously been investigated in patients undergoing minor ear procedures.

Methods

Eighteen participants attending for out-patient grommet insertion or intratympanic steroid injection were prospectively recruited for this study over six months. Post-operatively, they were asked about their perceived level of pain and overall experience.

Results

The median level of pain measured on an 11-point visual analogue scale was 2 out of 10. Forty-four per cent reported the overall experience as pleasant, with the remainder selecting slightly unpleasant (66 per cent). All participants stated they would undergo the procedure again.

Conclusion

Xylocaine spray is simple to administer, rapid-acting and well tolerated by patients for anaesthesia of the tympanic membrane during minor ear procedures in the out-patient setting.

Keywords

LidocaineXylocaineLocal AnestheticAnestheticsTopicalTympanic MembraneGrommet InsertionOutpatient ClinicsHospital
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 8 , August 2022 , pp. 734 - 736
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Mr G McNally takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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