Comparison of the Effect of Lidocaine and Ketamine on Prevention of Fentanyl-Induced Cough during the Induction of Anesthesia in Children under General Anesthesia

One of the main adverse effects of fentanyl, as the most commonly used anesthetic drug in children, is coughing. Several medications have been used to reduce this complication. In this study, the effect of ketamine and lidocaine on cough reduction after fentanyl injection was investigated. This was a randomized clinical trial study on 120 children under general anesthesia aged 6 months to 2 years, with class I and II based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scoring. Patients were divided into 3 equal groups treated with lidocaine (1 mg/kg), ketamine (0.15 mg/kg), and normal saline (control group). The incidence and severity of cough, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were compared between the 3 groups. The incidence (P = 0.03) and severity (P = 0.03) of cough in control group was significantly higher than two other groups of ketamine and lidocaine. Based on our findings, use of ketamine and/or lidocaine significantly reduces the incidence and severity of coughing following intravenous fentanyl administration under general anesthesia.