Effectiveness of a topical local anaesthetic spray as analgesia for dressing changes: a double-blinded randomised pilot trial comparing an emulsion with an aqueous lidocaine formulation.
BACKGROUND
Partial thickness skin graft wounds are painful. Topically applied lidocaine has been used for analgesia in several clinical trials. This study compared the effectiveness of two different formulations of topical local anaesthetic for dressing changes of partial thickness skin graft donor sites.


METHODS
A double-blind randomised controlled, pilot trial was conducted in 29 patients undergoing split thickness skin graft surgery. Subjects were randomised to either a 3% lidocaine emulsion formulation "Treatment E" (NOPAYNE™) or a 4% aqueous solution "Treatment A" (Xylocaine™). Subjects received one spray per 3 cm(2) of donor site area followed by up to two further spays as required. Endpoints included pain intensity measured by the numerical rating scale (NRS) up to 1h after dressing change commencement, sting sensation, overall satisfaction and lidocaine plasma concentration.


RESULTS
The 60 min pain scores for E and A were 1.3 ± 0.3 (mean ± SEM) and 1.8 ± 0.4 (p=0.98) respectively. Nearly 90% of patients were very satisfied with their treatment. The mean plasma concentrations of lidocaine for A and E were 0.132 mg/l and 0.040 mg/l respectively (p=0.069).


CONCLUSION
The topical local anaesthetic formulations achieved low pain scores during dressing changes. The safety profile was potentially improved with the emulsion formulation of lidocaine.
['Desai|Chiragkumar|C|', 'Wood|Fiona M|FM|', 'Schug|Stephan A|SA|', 'Parsons|Richard W|RW|', 'Fridlender|Charles|C|', 'Sunderland|Vivian Bruce|VB|']
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous D000328:Adult D000779:Anesthetics, Local D001458:Bandages D002056:Burns D004311:Double-Blind Method D004655:Emulsions D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008012:Lidocaine D008297:Male D010146:Pain D010147:Pain Measurement D010865:Pilot Projects D016038:Skin Transplantation D012996:Solutions D060053:Transplant Donor Site D016896:Treatment Outcome
Emulsion Lidocaine Partial thickness skin graft Skin graft wound Local anaesthetic formulation Burn pain Burns Donor site dressing change Lidocaine spray