Background and objective Respiratory burst is an essential component of the neutrophil's biocidal function. In vitro, sodium thiopental, iso¯urane and lidocaine each inhibit neutrophil respiratory burst. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the effect of a standard clinical induction/tracheal intubation sequence on neutrophil respiratory burst and (b) to determine the effect of intravenous lidocaine administration during induction of anaesthesia on neutrophil respiratory burst. Methods Twenty ASA I and II patients, aged 18±60 years, undergoing elective surgery were studied. After induction of anaesthesia [fentanyl (2 lg kg )1 ), thiopental (4±6 mg kg )1 ), iso¯urane (end-tidal concentration 0.5±1.5%) in nitrous oxide (66%) and oxygen], patients randomly received either lidocaine 1.5 mg kg )1 (group L) or 0.9% saline (group S) prior to tracheal intubation. Neutrophil respiratory burst was