• James P Bonaparte, Martin Corsten, and Ryan Rourke.
• of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
• J Otolaryngol Head N. 2010 Feb 1;39(1):96-101.

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that using an alcohol-based, mint-flavoured oral mouthwash prior to applying oral lidocaine spray will result in an improvement in the unpleasant taste of the lidocaine.DesignA double-blind, randomized, controlled trial using a crossover design.SettingA tertiary care hospital.MethodsFifteen able-bodied volunteers rinsed for 30 seconds with either a mint-flavoured, alcohol-based mouthwash (treatment) or plain water (placebo) prior to the administration of topical lidocaine spray. All subjects received both the treatment and the placebo; however, the order of exposure was randomized.Outcome MeasuresSubjects completed two 100 mm visual analogue scales (VASs). The first assessed the overall satisfaction with the taste of the lidocaine. This consisted of a 100 mm VAS with 0 defined as the "most unpleasant taste" and 100 mm defined as the "most pleasant taste," whereas 50 mm was defined as neutral or no taste. The second VAS assessed subjective analgesia after lidocaine administration.ResultsThere was a statistically significant improvement in the taste of oral lidocaine after administering the treatment intervention (p = .003). There was a reduction in subjective analgesia, which did not reach statistical significance (p = .03). Use of the oral mouthwash reduced the perception of the negative flavour of the lidocaine from 20.77 (13.2) mm to 50.2 (12.84) mm as assessed by the VAS.ConclusionsA brief rinse with a mint-flavoured, alcohol-based mouthwash prior to administration of topical lidocaine resulted in a significant improvement in the perceived flavour of topical lidocaine with a minimal reduction in subjective analgesia.

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