Topical nasal anaesthesia for fibreoptic bronchoscopy: patients' preference for lignocaine gel.

Two techniques for anaesthetising the nose before fibreoptic bronchoscopy have been compared. Fourteen of 16 patients given lignocaine spray found it unpleasant, compared with three of 20 patients given lignocaine gel. The two forms of local anaesthetic were found to be equally effective. Lignocaine gel is therefore recommended for topical nasal anaesthesia before fibreoptic bronchoscopy.