SUMMARY
Purpose:
A randomized double-masked study was carried out on 64 patients, scheduled for cataract surgery, in order to assess the efficacy of a topical anesthetic, in alleviating the pain on peribulbar injection.
Methods:
The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 36 patients were treated with the lignocaine-prilocaine cream. Group II - 27 patients treated with a placebo cream with the sarne physical characteristics. Both groups remained with the cream 60 minutes before receiving the peribulbar injection. Pain was assessed objectively by the anesthesiologist, who observed the reaction of the patient when inserting the needle and the anesthesia. The pain was also analyzed subjectively by the patient with a international pain scale.
Results:
Significantly lower pain scores were recorded, both subjectively and objectively, in Group 1 patients. None ofthe patients experienced any si de effects during the study, due to the use of the cream.
Conclusion:
These results support the efficacy and relative safety of lignocaine-prilocaine cream used to alleviate the pain during peribulbar injection.
Keywords:
EMLA; Lignocaine; Prilocaine; Pain; Anesthesia