Effect of Topical Anesthesia Application to the External Auditory Canal on Gag Reflex Suppression

Objective: An exaggerated gag reflex (GR) in some patients can substantially hinder oral and dental procedures, making this condition an important healthcare issue that demands effective solutions. This study aimed to evaluate whether topical anesthesia application to the external auditory canal (EAC) can modulate the GR and offer a novel strategy for managing this reflex in dental and clinical settings. Methods: The study was conducted using a randomized controlled double-blind method. A total of 60 healthy adult volunteers, aged 18-35 years, participated in the study and were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A (topical anesthesia, test), Group V (petroleum jelly, placebo), and Group C (control group, no intervention). After initial GR assessments conducted by a dentist, interventions were applied corresponding to their group allocations. Group A had cotton soaked in lidocaine pomade inserted into their ears, while Group V received petroleum jelly-soaked cotton, and Group C received no intervention. A second GR measurement was performed after a 10-minute wait period. Data were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: No significant differences were observed in the pre- and post-procedure GR measurements between groups (P > .05). Neither topical anesthesia nor vaseline application in the EAC demonstrated any significant impact on the GR. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EAC stimulation alone may not be a reliable method for managing the GR in clinical practice. The trigeminal and vagal reflex pathways associated with the EAC are highly complex, necessitating further detailed investigations in this area.