OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical lidocaine as an adjuvant drug to sedatives in children and adolescents undergoing digestive endoscopies. METHODS: 80 patients (49 females and 31 males, 12±3 years old) were randomly allocated into placebo (n=40) or lidocaine group (n=40). One patient was excluded from each group after allocation. Two puffs of either 10% lidocaine or placebo (tannic acid 0.5%) were sprayed into the oropharynx before the infusion of propofol. Patients were monitored during the procedure and answered a questionnaire after the procedure to evaluate sore throat and the medicine used as pre-medication. The primary outcome measure was propofol dose. Time spent in the procedure room, in the procedure and the incidence of complications were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Demographic data (age, sex and endoscopy indication) were evenly distributed in each group. The dose of propofol was not different between patients and controls (placebo group 3.1±1.1 and lidocaine group 2.9±1.3mg/kg; p=0.69), even considering the total dose (p=0.33). The time spent in the procedure room was longer for the placebo group than for the lidocaine group (23±7 versus 20±5 minutes; 95%CI of the difference: 0.47-5.89 minutes, p=0.02). There was no difference between groups regarding procedure duration, complications incidence and tolerability. CONCLUSIONS: Topic anesthetic medication reduces the time spent in the procedure room without increasing the incidence of side effects (NCT00521703).
lidocaine; endoscopy; gastrointestinal; premedication
