title: An evaluation of topical anaesthesia for myringotomy.
abstract: The relative efficiency of 2 topical anaesthetic agents in controlling the pain arising from myringotomy and grommet insertion has been assessed by a prospective, single blind controlled trial. The 2 anaesthetics were 5% cocaine and a new lignocaine and prilocaine mixture named Emla. Following a standardized anaesthetic procedure the pain arising from myringotomy, aspiration of the middle ear and subsequent insertion of a grommet was recorded by the patient on a linear analogue scale. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the factors which significantly affected the pain levels. Only the type of anaesthetic used played a major role, with Emla giving significantly better anaesthesia than cocaine.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Whittet
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D003042:Cocaine