Assessing the safety and efficacy of drugs used in preparing the nose for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: a systematic review

ConclusionFor operative procedures, such as septorhinoplasty, a single agent tetracaine or levobupivicaine provide an improved surgical field. In functional endoscopic sinus surgery, lidocaine‐adrenaline preparations have resulted in significantly better surgical and patient outcomes. There is little evidence to support the routine use of pre‐procedural nasal preparation for flexible nasendoscopy. Those undergoing rigid endoscopy, conversely always require use of a vasoconstrictor and local anaesthetic. Pre‐procedure assessment of patients is recommended, with agents being reserved for those with low pain thresholds, high anxiety and small nasal apertures presenting resistance to the insertion of the endoscope.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Source: Clinical Otolaryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Systematic Review Source Type: research