title: Ventilation tube insertion using topical anaesthesia in children.
abstract: Topical anaesthesia using EMLA cream is an established anaesthetic technique for ventilation tube insertion in adults. We report its use in 103 children (age range 3-12 years). Failure occurred in seven patients (6.8 per cent); complications occurred in two patients and were of a minor nature. This technique appears well tolerated provided the operator avoids the use of suction and allows a cream penetration time of greater than two hours. The use of a 'T' myringotomy is also recommended, to reduce tension on the drum at tube insertion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Summerfield
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D011318:Prilocaine
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine