EFFECT OF NEBULIZED LIGNOCAINE ON THE QUALITY OF INDUCTION OF ANESTHESIA IN CIGARETTE SMOKERS

We have assessed the effect of nebulised lignocaine, given pre-operati vely, upon the quality of induction of anaesthesia in cigarette smoker s. Seventy-five patients were studied in a double-blind randomised fas hion, receiving a nebuliser of either 4 ml 0.9% NaCl or 4 ml 4% lignoc aine. All patients received a standardised anaesthetic consisting of t hiopentone followed by progressive increments of enflurane. Thirty-thr ee out of 38 patients (87%) who received nebulised lignocaine had indu ction without adverse events, compared with 25 out of 37 patients (68% ) in the nebulised saline group (Chi-squared test p < 0.05). We conclu de that the use of nebulised lignocaine, administered pre-operatively, improves the quality of induction of anaesthesia in cigarette smokers .