The utilization of intranasal local anesthetic agents has become a prevalent approach in nasal endoscopy procedures, aimed at enhancing patient comfort and optimizing procedural outcomes. This comprehensive literature review seeks to evaluate the benefits and risks associated with the use of intranasal anesthetics prior to nasal endoscopy.
A total of twenty-eight studies published within the last three decades were meticulously examined and incorporated in this literature review. The majority of the reviewed studies overwhelmingly demonstrated no significant reduction in patient discomfort or pain during nasal endoscopy with the use of intranasal anesthetics. However, it is noteworthy that two of the included studies highlighted the potential benefits of masking agents to mitigate the bitter taste associated with anesthetic agents, leading to increased analgesic properties during the endoscopic procedure.
Conversely, three of the reviewed studies indicated that intranasal anesthetic usage positively impacted the ease of the procedure for the endoscopist, resulting in improved visualization of the nasal cavity and higher-quality images. Interestingly, the choice of specific anesthetic agents, such as cocaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, or co-phenylcaine, did not appear to play a substantial role in the reported outcomes across the studies. In contrast, the method, timing, and decision-making process regarding the application of intranasal anesthetics emerged as crucial factors that influenced the observed outcomes and potential side effects. The variations in these factors yielded diverse results among the studies, emphasizing the significance of careful consideration and standardized protocols in the administration of intranasal anesthetics.
Overall, while the reviewed studies generally did not demonstrate significant benefits in terms of reducing patient discomfort or pain, there were notable improvements in the ease of procedure for the endoscopist with intranasal anesthetic usage. Furthermore, the choice of anesthetic agent alone did not significantly impact the outcomes. However, the methodology, timing, and decision-making were shown to be important factors in achieving desirable results.
Further research is warranted to explore optimal approaches for intranasal anesthetic administration, including the development of effective masking agents and standardized protocols. It is crucial for further research to assess the utilization of intranasal anesthetics to ensure patient comfort, procedural efficacy, and safety during nasal endoscopy procedures.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/47967 |
| Date | 26 January 2024 |
| Creators | Cooper, Chanielle |
| Contributors | Trinkaus-Randall, Vickery, Maxfield, Alice Zhao |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0029 seconds