The effect of local anaesthesia of the nasal vestibule on nasal sensation of airflow and nasal resistance

Abstract

The effect of local anaesthesia of the nasal vestibule on nasal sensation of airflow and nasal resistance was assessed in 15 subjects. A single blind parallel group trial was undertaken in 30 subjects, with lignocaine as the active drug, and normal saline as the placebo. Fifteen subjects were included in each group. Both agents were infiltrated bilaterally into the floor of the nasal vestibule on each side via the sublabial route. Local anaesthesia of the nasal vestibule by infiltrating lignocaine produced a sensation of nasal obstruction in 9 out of 15 subjects (P less than 0.02). The infiltration of normal saline had no such effect. The difference between the effect of the 2 agents on nasal airflow sensation was significant (P less than 0.05). Neither injection had any significant effect on nasal resistance to airflow as assessed by active anterior rhinomanometry.