[Usefulness of 0.02 percent epinephrine solution to widen the nasal cavity]

There are many reports describing how to use epinephrine solution before nasal intubation, but there are few reports showing how much of the nasal cavity is widened by using epinephrine solution. The purpose of this study is to examine the usefulness of epinephrine solution to widen the nasal cavity before nasal intubation by measuring the decrease of the nasal concha. Twenty patients who were scheduled for nasal intubation were divided into two groups: 0.02 percent (1:5000) epinephrine solution (0.02 group, n = 10). 0.033 percent (1:3000) epinephrine solution (0.033 group, n = 10). The solutions were instilled on long cotton-tipped applicators that were slowly inserted until they reached posterior wall of the nasopharynx. We examined the area of the inferior nasal concha on X-P before and after inserting applicators in two groups. The area of the inferior nasal concha on X-P decreased 25 percent and 27 percent after using epinephrine solution in 0.02 group and 0.033 group, respectively and the decreases of the area were significant. But there was no significant difference between two groups. We conclude that 0.02 percent epinephrine solution is useful and adequate to widen the nasal cavity before nasal intubation.