Propofol versus lidocaine on prevention of laryngospasm in tonsillectomy: A randomized clinical trial

Laryngospasm is an important complication of tonsillectomies. This study aimed to compare the effects of propofol versus lidocaine on prevention of laryngospasm in tonsillectomy. This randomized clinical trial included 102 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Patients were randomly divided into two groups treated with 0.5 mg/kg propofol (group P) or 1 mg/kg lidocaine 2% (group L). The frequencies of laryngospasm (within 10 min after extubation), agitation, nausea, vomiting, mean heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 at a 95% confidence level. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sex, age or weight. In the P group, the frequency of laryngospasm was significantly lower than L within10 minutes after extubation (4.1% versus 16.3%). Furthermore, the frequencies of agitation (p = 0.003), nausea and vomiting (p = 0.002) and mean heart rate (p = 0.026) were significantly higher in the L group than the P group. However, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, MAP, SPO(2), awakening time, length of stay in recovery and frequency of shivering. Propofol can reduce the incidence of laryngospasm, agitation, nausea and vomiting but it has no effect on the patient's awakening time and length of stay in recovery.