The Role of the Topical Anesthetic Agent in Modifying Bacteriologic Data Obtained by Bronchoscopy

Abstract

ALTHOUGH various local and topical anesthetics have long been alleged to inhibit bacterial growth it is only recently that this has been critically investigated, at least in relation to bronchoscopy. A frequent major objective of diagnostic bronchoscopy is to obtain secretion for bacteriologic study. The potential role of the topical anesthetic agent in modifying the success of this undertaking, however, has not been sufficiently considered. It is the purpose of this paper to emphasize a recent study indicating that cultural growth of bacteria and fungi obtained bronchoscopically may be inhibited by the topical anesthetic employed,¹ to extend this finding specifically . . .