Researcher | Research Overview
Laryngospasm is a rare but serious complication in children undergoing general anesthesia. The incidence of laryngospasm in the pediatric population varies depending on the age group and procedure, but overall incidence is reported between 1.7 and 25% [1, 2]. Infants and children undergoing procedures involving the oral cavity have an increased risk and higher incidence of post-extubation laryngospasm [1]. Several studies have suggested IV lidocaine as an effective strategy to decrease respiratory reflex responses and prevent laryngospasm but they were significantly underpowered due to small sample sizes and relatively low incidence of laryngospasm [3,4,5].
As co-investigator, we propose to conduct a prospective, randomized and placebo controlled study with sufficient power to determine the efficacy of lidocaine in the prevention of post-extubation laryngospasm.We also plan to compare post-operative emergence agitation, pain, emesis, adverse effects, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters in both groups. We hypothesize that IV lidocaine administered prior to extubation reduces the incidence of post-extubation laryngospasm following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy procedures.