Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
Topical Airway Anesthesia for Awake-endoscopic Intubation Using the Spray-as-you-go Technique with High Oxygen Flow
Published on: January 13, 2017
Efficacy of Topical Epinephrine in Tympanoplasty
Marna A List1, Carolyn O Dirain1, Rex S Haberman1
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To compare the hemostatic effects of commonly used concentrations of topical epinephrine in tympanoplasty.
Study Design:
Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
Methods:
Patients undergoing tympanoplasty were randomized to receive topical epinephrine at 1:1,000 or 1:10,000. With the investigators blinded, hemostasis was assessed with a modified Boezaart scale. Vasoconstriction was measured by laser Doppler. Blood pressure and pulse were tracked.
Results:
Thirty patients, 4 to 84 years old, were studied, with 15 patients per group. Boezaart scores dropped a mean of 67% and 62% with 1:1,000 and 1:10,000, respectively (P = .44). Capillary blood flow decreased a mean of 50.4% and 50.9% with 1:1,000 and 1:10,000, respectively (P = .95). The mean change in heart rate and mean arterial pressure after topical epinephrine exposure were -4.9 and -0.73 beats per minute (P = .15), and -0.60 and -0.73 mmHg (P = .96) for 1:1,000 and 1:10,000 respectively. No adverse events occurred in either group.
Conclusions:
Topical epinephrine at 1:10,000 has hemostatic efficacy comparable to 1:1,000 in tympanoplasty. Although both concentrations appear safe, use of topical epinephrine 1:10,000 should be considered over 1:1,000 to minimize the potential for adverse events.
Level Of Evidence:
2 Laryngoscope, 131:2319-2322, 2021.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
01:13Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
01:23Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
02:06Allergic Reactions