The effectiveness of xylocaine spray in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

The use of topical pharyngeal anesthesia has long been controversial among the anesthetists and no evidence has well supported the use of the spray. The use of lidocaine spray is not without adverse effects, which include aspiration pneumonia, methemoglobinemia and anaphylaxis. Most of the patients undergo endoscopies under general anesthesia and theoretically should not require pharngeal spray to suppress pharyngeal reflexes during the procedure. The aim of the study is determine whether the use of the spray is necessary in patients under deep sedation/general anesthesia. Deep sedation is achieved by total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol.