I was surprised to read, in the case report by Rodins and his colleagues (http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/116-1177/500/), that 4% lignocaine is still used for bronchoscopy, or indeed that such a preparation is still available.1 We learnt more than 40 years ago that 2% plain lignocaine provides successful topical analgesia for bronchoscopy. The 2% solution allows an adequate volume without danger of toxic overdose. Plain lignocaine can be absorbed from mucous membranes rapidly enough to produce systemic effects similar to those following intravenous injection.