Comparative study of three different modalities of topical anesthesia in various dermatological procedures
Background: Infiltrative anesthetics are frequently chosen because of their proven safety record, low cost, ease of storage, widespread availability, and rapid onset of action; a good topical anesthetic agent can eliminate the use of painful injections prior to procedures. Aims: The present study wa...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Drugs in Dermatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijdd.in/article.asp?issn=2455-3972;year=2020;volume=6;issue=1;spage=22;epage=27;aulast=Gupta |
| Summary: | Background: Infiltrative anesthetics are frequently chosen because of their proven safety record, low cost, ease of storage, widespread availability, and rapid onset of action; a good topical anesthetic agent can eliminate the use of painful injections prior to procedures. Aims: The present study was carried out to compare the eutectic mixture of local anesthetic (EMLA), cryogel, lignocaine spray, and controls for pain caused during common dermatological procedures. Methods: This study included 120 patients who were divided into four groups with 30 patients each for needle extraction for molluscum contagiosum and milia; intralesional injection for keloids and alopecia areata; radiofrequency ablation for warts, acrochordons, and intradermal nevus; and dermabrasion for surgical treatment of vitiligo. Topical anesthetics such as EMLA, cryogel, and lignocaine spray were applied and pain was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) score. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean VAS score was highest for the control group (VAS = 5.2) and lowest for EMLA group (VAS = 1.3). There was a significant reduction in the pain with the topical anesthetic application as compared to controls. The mean VAS score for all procedures showed a significant pain reduction with topical anesthetic application as compared to controls (P < 0.05). Limitations: Lack of standardized methods of topical anesthetic application and there is the inherent limitation in the exactness of pain scoring scale available for use. Conclusion: All modalities of topical anesthesia had proven their efficacy for dermatological procedures, but in a procedure like dermabrasion, it may not be possible to use any of the topical anesthetics solely to produce sufficient anesthesia. |
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| ISSN: | 2455-3972 2455-3972 |