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Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: is anesthesia necessary?
1Department of Surgery, University Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
Summary
Anesthesia does not affect fine-needle aspiration (FNA) accuracy or complications for head and neck masses. However, anesthesia improves patient satisfaction, suggesting its use for anxious patients undergoing neck mass FNA.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Diagnostic Procedures
Background:
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a common diagnostic tool for head and neck masses.
- Evaluating the impact of anesthesia on FNA patient experience and outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively assess the effect of anesthesia on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of head and neck masses.
- To compare patient perception, complication rates, and accuracy across different anesthesia methods.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 75 patients undergoing head and neck FNA.
- Patients were divided into three groups: no anesthesia, ethyl chloride spray, or lidocaine infiltrative anesthesia.
- Outcomes were evaluated using subjective patient perception and objective criteria like complication and accuracy rates.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in the ease of FNA, complication rates, or accuracy among the three groups.
- Patient perception and satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the groups receiving topical (ethyl chloride spray) or infiltrative (lidocaine) anesthesia.
- Anesthesia did not compromise the diagnostic efficacy or safety of FNA.
Conclusions:
- Topical or infiltrative anesthesia enhances patient experience and satisfaction during head and neck FNA without compromising procedural outcomes.
- Anesthesia can be a valuable adjunct for managing patient anxiety during FNA procedures for neck masses.
- These findings support the routine consideration of anesthesia to improve patient tolerance for FNA procedures.