Damage to tissue defenses by EMLA cream.
EMLA is a new topical agent that safely anesthetizes intact skin. The purpose of this study was to determine if this cream could be safely used for anesthetizing wounds. This investigation evaluated the potential toxicity of EMLA cream in wounds by measuring its effect on host defenses and on the biology of wound repair. In contaminated wounds, EMLA cream elicited an exaggerated inflammatory response that damaged host defenses, inviting the development of infection. As a result of these investigations, we do not recommend the use of EMLA cream in wounds.
Powell
D M
DM
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville.
Rodeheaver
G T
GT
Foresman
P A
PA
Hankins
C L
CL
Bellian
K T
KT
Zimmer
C A
CA
Becker
D G
DG
Edlich
R F
RF
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000276:immunology
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine