Lidocaine plasma concentrations in pediatric patients after providing airway topical anesthesia from a calibrated device

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate plasma lidocaine concentrations in infants and children after laryngeal spray using a calibrated device. Twenty-one patients aged 3 to 24 mo requiring laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy were included in the study. Anesthesia was induced via a mask with halothane up to 2% in 100% O2. Lidocaine was administered using a 5% lidocaine spray. For patients weighing less than 10 kg, one spray (8 mg of lidocaine) was administered. For those weighing from 10 to 20 kg, two sprays (16 mg) were given. The dose of lidocaine administered ranged between 0.9 and 2.6 mg/kg. Maximum plasma lidocaine concentration (Cmax) was 1.05 +/- 0.55 micrograms/mL (mean +/- SD; range 0.24-2.29 micrograms/mL). With this procedure, we demonstrated the safety of administering lidocaine to children by laryngeal spraying using a 5% sprayer.