TOPICAL ANESTHESIA WITH 50 MG OF LIDOCAINE SPRAY FACILITATES UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY

To investigate the value of 50 mg of topical lidocaine spray in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a randomized double-blind placebo-controll ed study was undertaken with 50 mg of lidocaine spray as the active tr eatment. All patients were sedated with diazepam after administration of the spray. Included in the study were 158 consecutive patients aged 18 years or older being treated at the endoscopy unit of Scunthorpe d istrict general hospital. Tolerance to upper gastrointestinal endoscop y as assessed by endoscopists and patients was evaluated. Of the 158 p atients, 85 received the placebo spray and 73 the lidocaine spray. Pat ient acceptability for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was significan tly greater in the lidocaine group than in the placebo group (p = 0.00 1), and tolerance to the procedure as assessed by the endoscopist was also significantly greater in the lidocaine group than in the placebo group (p = 0.008). We conclude that topical anesthesia with 50 mg of l idocaine spray facilitates upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the en doscopist and increases patient tolerance for the procedure.