Inhalation of Lidocaine Before Intubation

The Effect of Ultrasonic Nebulizer Delivered Lidocaine on Circulatory Responses During Tracheal Intubation and Postoperative Sore Throat

We investigate the potential benefits of ultrasound-driven lidocaine inhalation immediately before induction.

Sudden increases in blood pressure and heart rate after tracheal intubation and post-operative sore throat are two common undesirable side effects of general anesthesia and might lead to patients' morbidity or dissatisfaction. We investigated the possibility to attenuate both side effects with one single method, i.e. ultrasound-driven lidocaine inhalation immediately before induction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. Patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation

Exclusion Criteria:

• patient's refusal to join, major surgery or expected operation duration longer than 3 hours, patients with a anticipated difficult airway, requiring a nasogastric tube in peri-operative stage, having recent upper respiratory tract infection (within 1 week) or pre-existing sore throat.