Effect of Lidocaine on Patient Satisfaction in Spinal Anesthesia

One of the most important challenges facing the anesthesiologist before performing painful procedures, such as spinal anesthesia, is the anxiety and fear of patients due to the pain of needle entry into the skin and the consequent lack of cooperation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 10% lidocaine spray on patient satisfaction in spinal anesthesia.

In this double-blind clinical trial, patients were referred to a general surgery ward for spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the first group (lidocaine group) received 10% lidocaine as anesthesia and patients in the second group received an equal volume of normal saline. Then, based on the Visual Analogue Scale, patients were asked about the extent of pain during needle insertion into the skin and the degree of patient satisfaction was noted.

Our data revealed a significant reduction of pain and improvement of fear in patients who received the local application of lidocaine.

There was a significant relationship between analgesia, satisfaction, lack of cooperation, and anxiety at the time of needle insertion.