Nebulized Lidocaine vs 3% Sodium Chloride in Pediatric Adenoid/Tonsil Surgery

Lidocaine is a drug with multiple clinical uses. Beyond its classical indication as a sodium channel blocker in local, regional, and neuraxial anesthesia, it has been:

• administered intravenously as an antitussive agent in ophthalmic surgery,
• used in both human and veterinary anesthesia to reduce the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC),
• applied as an analgesic for acute pain,
• used as an antiarrhythmic for ventricular arrhythmias,
• administered as a cardioplegic agent in cardiac surgery,
• used as a local anesthetic for venous cannulation,
• nebulized during awake airway interventions,
• nebulized in refractory cough, and
• applied into the endotracheal tube cuff to prevent postoperative sore throat.

Nebulized lidocaine has previously been used in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute asthma, and acute lung infections to suppress cough and provide bronchodilation, and has been found safe and effective. High doses (up to 8 mg/kg) of nebulized lidocaine have been safely administered in infants and children prior to flexible bronchoscopy to reduce perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs).

Hypertonic 3% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution is an agent that has been extensively studied and used clinically in respiratory diseases. Its primary mechanisms of action include osmotic rehydration of the airway surface liquid, thinning mucus, and facilitating mucociliary clearance. This reduces secretion viscosity and supports easier mucus removal. It may also reduce airway edema, relieve obstruction, and promote the dissolution of mucus plugs. Some studies suggest it may exert anti-inflammatory effects by limiting inflammatory mediators. In clinical practice, it has been shown to be safe and effective in children with acute bronchiolitis, reducing hospital stay and improving symptoms. In addition, it is used in cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, COPD, and acute pulmonary infections to enhance mucus clearance and improve respiratory function.

Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy are among the most common surgical procedures performed in the pediatric population, primarily due to recurrent throat infections and sleep-disordered breathing associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Postoperative complications may include bleeding, respiratory distress, airway obstruction, postoperative pain, and dehydration. Reported respiratory complication rates range from 2% to 4%, rising to 13-15% in high-risk groups. Beyond the inherent respiratory risks of the surgery itself, perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) are highly prevalent in pediatric patients. These include minor events (oxygen desaturation, airway obstruction, cough, or wheezing) and major events (laryngospasm and bronchospasm). Such complications may prolong hospitalization, increase healthcare costs, and cause varying degrees of physical and psychological stress in both children and their caregivers. PRAEs are documented in up to 50% of children undergoing tonsillectomy.

Certain studies in the literature have investigated preoperative premedication strategies to reduce the incidence of postoperative respiratory adverse events. However, our literature review revealed no studies evaluating the postoperative beneficial effects of the preoperative nebulized use of the agents planned in our study. Based on this gap, we designed this study with the aim of contributing new data to the current literature.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who agree to participate in the study
• Patients undergoing adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy
• Patients with ASA physical status 1-2
• Children aged 18 months to 16 years

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who do not agree to participate in the study
• Patients with allergy to lidocaine or 3% NaCl
• Patients with ASA physical status 3-4
• Patients whose surgery duration exceeds 1 hour