The 2% lidocaine lollipop (LL) is a novel method of providing local oropharyngeal anesthesia. It is a simple and effective method of providing anesthesia to the upper airways, allowing safer and more successful tracheal intubation. LL tastes good and is well tolerated by most patients. Its effectiveness could be explained by the more homogeneous spread of the local anesthetic to the upper airways with a more potent blocking effect on the superior laryngeal and glossopharyngeal nerves.
Patient-controlled anesthesia for the upper airway can be an effective strategy to prepare patients for awake intubation. As per a study published recently, physicians performed 20 patient-controlled topicalizations with good acceptance and effectiveness. The article discusses two case studies where this technique was implemented. Case studies Case 1 A disposable foam oral swab soaked in a viscous 2%…
