title: Comparison of a topical mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA) versus 1% lidocaine infiltration on wound healing.
abstract: We compared a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA, Astra Pharmaceuticals, Inc) with 1% lidocaine infiltration to determine the effect on wound healing in a prospective single blind study using the rat model. Thirty-six wounds were assessed. No clinical or histologic evidence of infection or necrosis was present in any wound. Five wounds (two in the lidocaine and three in the EMLA group, P = 1.0) demonstrated a widened scar owing to healing by secondary intention following suture disruption. There was no significant difference between groups in the degree of inflammation (P = 0.08). We conclude that EMLA does not affect wound healing adversely and is comparable to 1% lidocaine infiltration in the animal model. Further study to determine its anesthetic effect in laceration repair is presently being undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nykanen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kissoon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rieder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine