Korean J Anesthesiol.  2013 Aug;65(2):132-135. 10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.132.

The effect of xylometazoline spray for expansion of nasal cavity

• Han JS
• Park SH
• Shin YD
• Kwon E
• Shim WS
• Bae JH

• KMID: 2031254
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2013.65.2.132

Abstract

BACKGROUND
During nasotracheal intubation it is important to have proper pretreatment for nasal mucosa constriction and nasal cavity expanding. Nasal packing of epinephrine gauze is widely used as well as xylometazoline. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic intranasal spray of xylometazoline against epinephrine gauze packing in expanding the nasal cavity.
METHODS
Volunteers (n = 32) in their twenties without nasal disease such as septal deviation or rhinitis were enrolled in the study. The more patent nostril in each subject was measured by acoustic rhinometry as the base value. After intranasal spray of xylometazoline, the same nostril was remeasured by same method. Twenty four hours later, intranasal packing of epinephrine gauze was done and the same treatment was done. Subject preferences about the procedures were asked.
RESULTS
There were significant difference among treatments (base value: 0.582 +/- 0.164 cm2, xylometazoline spray: 0.793 +/- 0.165 cm2, epinephrine gauze packing: 0.990 +/- 0.290 cm2) in acoustic rhinometry. While the epinephrine gauze packing showed more efficient mucosa constriction, subjects preferred xylometazoline spray.
CONCLUSIONS
Even though xylometazoline spray was less effective than epinephrine gauze packing, the simplicity and convenience compensated. In patients undergoing nasotracheal intubation, xylometazoline spray can be an alternative to epinephrine gauze packing.

Keyword

Acoustic rhinometry; Epinephrine; Nasal intubation; Xylometazoline

MeSH Terms

Constriction
Epinephrine
Humans
Imidazoles
Intubation
Mucous Membrane
Nasal Cavity
Nasal Mucosa
Nose Diseases
Rhinitis
Rhinometry, Acoustic
Epinephrine
Imidazoles