Dentists Lidocaine and Cirrhosis

[AnxiousPete]

Last week I had a local anaesthetic at my new dentist, I presume lidocaine. I am pretty sure I wasn't asked about liver disease in the registration medical questionnaire but just saw an academic research paper about lidocaine toxicity with cirrhosis and am now a little concerned. I am well compensated although my recent ALT was elevated at 60 which I need to speak to my consultant about in 2 weeks time. Has anyone else heard about this contraindication ?

Thanks - Pete

[Petrina_gmfc]

Hi I have not heard of that .

[Katt12340]

Hi Pete, I haven't heard about this for topical (oral) use. The current guidelines for hepatic impairment are based around iv infusion so a local anesthetic with lidocaine (or usually lignocaine these days) shouldn't cause you any issues as a one off. Academic papers make great reading but probably best to stay away If they make you anxious. Hope this makes you feel a bit better ☺️

[AnxiousPete in reply to Katt12340]

Thanks for that Katt I appreciate it - as a former (albeit non-scientific) uni academic, research reports don't make me anxious per se but I see your point. I read on UK site that lidocaine was the most commonly used local anaesthetic injection in UK dentistry - the report was a BMJ single case of lidocaine toxicity in a 60 year old with cirrhosis. The application was topical (gel and gargle). I've been OK and I am sure as you say probíably nothi g ti worry about. I will check it out with my consultant when I next see him.

[Katt12340]

No worries ☺️Nice to meet someone else who reads papers that isn't in the field! I find it all so fascinating. Plus it makes for great conversation, lol x

[Ubwa]

I had full on sinus surgery using lidocaine in abundance when I had cirrhosis without issue. It’s usually done under general anaesthetic but they said that would have probably killed me.