Effectiveness of intrabronchial local anesthesia with a spray catheter and continuous oral suction in reducing cough during bronchoscopy: A prospective study

Coughing and other distress during bronchoscopy are undesirable for both patients and bronchoscopists. The efficacy of local anesthetics administered via aerosol sprays in the airways has been documented; however, the optimal administration method remains unclear. Furthermore, the efficacy of continuous salivary aspiration in reducing cough and other distress has not yet been evaluated. Patients scheduled for bronchoscopy were assigned to 1 of 4 groups-group A (intrabronchial local anesthesia using a syringe without continuous oral suction); group B (intrabronchial local anesthesia using a spray catheter without continuous oral suction); group C (intrabronchial local anesthesia using a syringe with continuous oral suction using a saliva ejector); group D (intrabronchial local anesthesia using a spray catheter with continuous oral suction using a saliva ejector). The distress levels of the patients were evaluated using a questionnaire with a visual analog scale, and cough counts were quantified during bronchoscopy. Additionally, we assessed the total amount of lidocaine consumed and changes in vital signs. Local anesthesia in the airway using a spray catheter did not reduce patient distress; however, it reduced cough frequency (P = 0.03) and lidocaine dosage (P = 0.0004). Continuous suctioning of saliva did not reduce the patients' distress or cough frequency. The use of a spray catheter rather than a syringe is recommended for administering local anesthesia with lidocaine during bronchoscopy. Conversely, continuous suctioning of saliva is not routinely recommended for all patients.