The efficacy of lidocaine administered via the LITA tracheal tube in attenuating the extubation response in beta-blocked patients following craniotomy.

Abstract

The Laryngotracheal Instillation of Topical Anaesthetic (LITA) tracheal tube has an additional pilot tube through which local anaesthetic can be instilled into the larynx via 10 small holes above and below the cuff We studied 40 patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. They were premedicated with two oral doses of propranolol 1 mg.kg(-1). The anaesthetic consisted of infusions of remifentanil, propofol and vecuronium. On insertion of the first skin clip at the end of surgery, 5 ml of either saline or 2% lidocaine was injected into the appropriate lumen of the tracheal tube. There was no difference between the groups in the degree of coughing or the haemodynamic response to tracheal extubation.