Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Lidocaine/Tetracaine Patch for Induction of Local Anesthesia prior to Minor Dermatologic Procedures in Geriatric Patients

• Published in: Dermatologic surgery Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 287 - 291
• Main Authors: Schecter, Amy K, Pariser, David M, Pariser, Robert J, Ling, Mark R, Stewart, Daniel, Sadick, Neil S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, MA by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc 01.03.2005; Blackwell
• Subjects: Aged; Anesthetics, Local; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Cryotherapy; Dermatology; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Female; General aspects; Humans; Lidocaine - administration & dosage; Male; Medical sciences; Pain Measurement; Skin Diseases - surgery; Skin plastic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tetracaine - administration & dosage; Human; Dermatology; Induction; Local anesthetic; Ester; Treatment; Surgery; Local anesthesia; Double blind study; Organic amide; Lidocaine; Patch; Tetracaine; Geriatrics
• ISSN: 1076-0512; 1524-4725
• DOI: 10.1097/00042728-200503000-00006

BACKGROUNDTopical anesthetics offer a noninvasive method of anesthesia. OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the lidocaine/tetracaine patch, a 1:1 (wt:wt) eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, for local anesthesia before minor dermatologic procedures in geriatric patients. METHODSIn a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 79 patients over the age of 65 years received a 30-minute application of either the lidocaine/tetracaine patch or placebo immediately before a shave biopsy or superficial excision. The primary measure of efficacy was patient assessment of procedural pain using the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary efficacy end points included patient, investigator, and independent observer assessments. RESULTSThere was a statistically significant difference (p= .041) in patient ratings of pain by VAS score in the active group (9.5 mm) compared with the placebo group (22.5 mm). None of the secondary end points showed a statistically significant difference between groups. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONThe lidocaine/tetracaine patch is a safe and effective method for noninvasive induction of local anesthesia for minor dermatologic procedures in patients over the age of 65 years.