Safe and effective method for application of tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine to oral lacerations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a technique for application of tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine (TAC) for minor oral lacerations.


METHODS
Our study group comprised 22 consecutive children older than 5 years of age who presented to an urban pediatric emergency department with a minor oral laceration 2 cm or less in length requiring single-layer closure. The children were prospectively treated with a two-drop dose of TAC containing .5 mg tetracaine and 12 mg cocaine on a cotton-tipped applicator placed in contact with the wound for up to 5 minutes.


RESULTS
Lacerations involved the labial mucosa (n = 12), tongue (n = 6), and buccal mucosa (n = 4); 41 (91%) of 45 sutures were placed without pain (95% confidence interval, 0% to 8.2%). No patient exhibited an adverse reaction related to TAC.


CONCLUSIONS
This TAC application technique was safe and highly effective in providing anesthesia for minor oral lacerations.
Bonadio
W A
WA
University of Minnesota Medical School Children's Health Care-St Paul, USA.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D013748:Tetracaine; D003042:Cocaine; D004837:Epinephrine