A COMPARISON OF COCAINE VS LIDOCAINE WITH OXYMETAZOLINE FOR USE IN NASAL PROCEDURES

This study compared the degree of vasoconstriction and anesthesia obta ined with cocaine vs. that obtained with a mixture of lidocaine and ox ymetazoline (lido/oxy) in healthy, male volunteers. Blood flow was eva luated by laser Doppler flowmetry. Anesthesia was measured with Semmes -Weinstein monofilaments, testing both sensation threshold and pain pe rception. A greater decrease in blood flow was seen after the administ ration of lido/oxy than after the administration of cocaine. Pain perc eption change was not significantly different between treatment groups at 10 minutes after removal of the medication-soaked pledget, but lid o/oxy caused a greater decrease in pain perception than cocaine after 50 minutes. No significant difference in sensation threshold change wa s seen between treatment groups. Lidocaine with oxymetazoline is, ther efore, believed to be an effective alternative to cocaine for nasal pr ocedures.