Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-42gr6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T08:28:09.440Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

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

References

Luotonen, J, Laitakari, K, Karjalainen, H, Jokinen, K. EMLA in local anaesthetic of the tympanic membrane. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1992;492:63–710.3109/00016489209136812CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carrasco, VN, Prazma, T, Biggers, WP. A safe, effective anesthetic technique for outpatient myringotomy tube placement. Laryngoscope 1993;103:92–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sing, T. Use of phenol in anaesthetizing the eardrum. The Internet Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2005;4:1–4Google Scholar
Robertson, A, Whitwell, R, Osborne, J. Is phenol a safe local anaesthetic for grommet insertion? J Laryngol Otol 2006;120:20–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Syed, M, Rutka, J, Pothier, D. Application of phenol as topical anaesthesia using the Derlacki elevator for myringotomy. Clin Otolaryngol 2015;40:69–70CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Xylocaine 10mg spray package leaflet: information for the user. In: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/882/pil#gref [9 September 2021]Google Scholar
Lim, AE, Alatsatianos, A, Wardrop, P. Use of lidocaine with phenylephrine (Co-phenylcaine) spray for anaesthesia of the external auditory canal. J Laryngol Otol 2021;135:80–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schmidt, SH, Hellstrom, S. Late effects of local anaesthetics on tympanic membrane structure. Am J Otolaryngol 1986;76:346–52CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jensen, MP, McFarland, CA. Increasing the reliability and validity of pain intensity measurement in chronic pain patients. Pain 1993;55:195–20310.1016/0304-3959(93)90148-ICrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed