The Laryngoscope
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing the efficacy of topical anesthetics in nasal endoscopy.
Transnasal endoscopy is commonly performed in an outpatient otolaryngology setting. Patients are typically administered a topical anesthetic and decongestant prior to this procedure to alleviate discomfort and improve visualization. There is no consensus on which topical anesthetic is most effective in optimizing patient experience during the procedure. ⋯ In patients undergoing transnasal endoscopy, use of either 2% tetracaine or 4% lidocaine has similar effect. Tetracaine may be a better choice in older patients, however.