[Is the use of lidocaine in spray form permissible during intubation?].

The use of local anaesthetic in spray form for anaesthesia of the trachea before intubation may be the cause of changes in the wall of the balloons of endotracheal tubes. The direct application of the mixture freaon + alcohol + lidocaine to the wall of the balloon of different tubes does in fact result in appearance of herniations or fissures, explaining certain problems which have up to now imputed to the material used. It is therefore emphasised that the technique of local anaesthesia of the trachea must be carried out using material and products designed for the purpose.