The Effect of Local Anesthesia With Lidocaine During Insertion and Removal of Nasal Packing

Nasal packing has many uses, such as prevention of postoperative bleeding following endoscopic sinus surgery, stabilization of the nasal septum, prevention of adhesions following septoplasty, and treatment of active epistaxis1,2.

The utilization of tampons for nasal packing during nasal and sinus surgeries is widely used and safe. Nasal tampons assist in creating a moist supportive environment for tissue healing without causing local irritation or foreign body reaction3. The removal is performed after 24-48 hours. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to the uses of nasal tampons: trauma to the nasal mucosa, infection of the nose and sinuses, aspiration of part of the tampon, and even toxic shock syndrome3. One of the most troublesome aspects to the patient and the clinician is the pain and discomfort during insertion and removal of the tampons3,4. In our experience, these symptoms are of considerable significance to the patient experience and satisfaction.

There is a wide range of commercially available nasal packings such as Merocel and Nasopore.

In our practice, Merocel nasal tampons are used, which contain polyvinyl acetate. This type of material expands upon contact with fluids, and it is not soluble. This product is used at the end of endoscopic nasal surgeries and in the treatment of active epistaxis, not amenable to local pressure and without a recognizable source of bleeding. In case of unstoppable bleeding despite the use of nasal tampons, a nasal balloon is inflated in the nasal cavity. Its insertion and inflation are associated with patient pain and discomfort.

Lidocaine is a drug commonly used for local anesthesia. It is used for local nasal anesthesia by a variety of commercially available sprays, atomizers, nebulizers, gels, and ointments. Lidocaine causes local anesthesia by affecting sodium channels, causing decreased initiation and conduction of neural impulses. In turn, fewer afferent impulses reach the central nervous system6. In healthy individuals, side effects are negligible, but it could influence patients with cardiac infarction. The main side effects of lidocaine are neurological, which could be of significance in the case of inflamed or damaged tissue because of rapid absorption. The use of Lidocaine spray (Xylocaine 10%) is commonly available worldwide and is routinely used in our institution before fiberoptic laryngoscopy.