Dermal Anaesthesia: Comparison of Emla Cream With Iontophoretic Local Anaesthesia

Abstract

We have compared the efficacy of two non-invasive methods of transdermal anaesthesia: application of EMLA cream and iontophoresis of 5% lignocaine with adrenaline 1:50,000 in six healthy subjects. We tested depth of tissue penetration (pinprick) and effect on pain evoked by i.v. injection. After iontophoresis, pain on i.v. injection was abolished in five of six volunteers, whereas EMLA had no effect. We conclude that local anaesthetics penetrate deeply enough to numb both veins and skin with iontophoresis only.

Pharmacological Management of Pain and Anxiety During Emergency Procedures in Children

“…The unit's current of 4mA achieves an anaesthetic depth of 5 to 7mm by 10 minutes. [28] Anaesthesia and associated vasoconstriction persist for approximately 60 minutes when epinephrine is added to lidocaine but <10 minutes when lidocaine is used alone. Tingling or burning sensations at the electrodes, uncomfortable for some children, can be lessened by slowly escalating the current and/or placing the ground electrode on the parent.…”

“…[67] In adults, dermal anaesthesia with iontophoresis of lidocaine has been found to be more complete during IV placement than that achieved with lidocaine/ prilocaine. [28] While tingling, itching and burning at both electrodes may occur, young children may prefer this technique to those which require needles for placement of local anaesthetics for IV placement.…”

Efficacy of application of eutectic mixture of local anesthetics and lidocaine spray in pain management of arteriovenous fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients

“…This agent diffuses through intact skin providing analgesia in several millimeters of the superficial layers of the skin. The advantages of this agent include a localized action with little systemic absorption, easy administration, and its applicability by the patients themselves (21,22). Many studies have been carried out on the effects of these two anesthetics (19).…”

Comparison of two topical medications, on pain relief due to fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patien

“…There are many medicinal and non-medicinal methods available to relieve pain. Topical anesthesia is one of the common methods that can be used to overcome the pain resulting from cannulation [14]. Some of its advantages include localized action of this method with minor systemic absorption, easy prescription, and its applicability by the patients themselves [15].…”