The use of topical anesthesia in removal of port-wine stains in children.
The control of pain associated with laser treatment of port-wine stains in children has been problematic. Using EMLA, a topical anesthetic, children can be treated with a significant reduction in laser-induced pain. In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of EMLA, 73 children (35 boys and 38 girls) ranging in age from 5 to 16 years with port-wine stains were treated. EMLA reduced mean pain scores 66% when compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001 for all three assessments of pain). Concordance between evaluators' and patients' assessment of pain scores correlated strongly (p < 0.001). Treatment with EMLA abolished pain in 40% of patients and the percentage of pain-free treatments increased from 10% to 52% (p < 0.001). EMLA is clearly effective in reducing or eliminating pain associated with laser treatment of port-wine stains in children.
Sherwood
K A
KA
Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine