European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Historical ArticleDoes epinephrine infiltration in septoplasty make any difference? A double blind randomised controlled trial.
Infiltration of lignocaine with epinephrine is used with cocaine in septoplasty, in attempt to improve haemostasis and thereby improve the surgical field. This practice is widespread despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy in the literature. Thirty patients undergoing septoplasty were randomised into two groups -- one in whom infiltration was performed with lignocaine (2%) with adrenaline (1:80,000) and a control group who received lignocaine (2%). ⋯ However there was significant rise in systolic blood pressure in patients who received epinephrine. The use of epinephrine with cocaine paste does not improve haemostasis or surgical field. As the use of epinephrine is associated with cardiac arrhythmias, the authors suggest that combined use of cocaine paste and epinephrine infiltration should be avoided in septal surgery.