Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Apr 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of anesthetic techniques for awake intubation in neurosurgical patients.
Two different methods of achieving upper airway anesthesia for awake fiberoptic intubation were prospectively compared in patients undergoing surgery for cervical spine instability. Forty patients were randomized to either topical anesthesia or nerve block groups. Topical anesthesia patients were administered nebulized 4% lidocaine (approximately 20 ml) via the oropharynx plus a transtracheal injection of 4% lidocaine (3 ml). ⋯ Ten minutes later there was no difference for plasma lidocaine concentration between groups. No patients had evidence of seizures or neurologic change during the procedure. There was no difference in patient perception of discomfort during the procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)