Laser assisted delivery of topical anesthesia for intramuscular needle insertion in adults.
OBJECTIVE
Currently there is no safe, effective, and rapid means to eliminate the pain associated with a needle insertion through the skin. It is hypothesized that ablation of the stratum corneum layer using a low energy Erbium(Er):YAG laser would allow rapid local anesthesia from a lidocaine product.


METHODS
Eighty volunteers participated in a placebo-controlled, double blind, cross-over study employing the Norwood-Abbey (Chelsea Heights, Victoria, Australia) laser anesthesia device (LAD) and two lidocaine preparations. Upper-arm skin ablation was followed by a 5-minute application of study treatment. Pain scores were registered immediately following a needle insertion.


RESULTS
Comparing the combined lidocaine preparations to placebo, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain when the LAD was employed (P < 0.001). The median pain reduction for lidocaine was 51.3% (95% CI = [40.9, 76.1]).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the low energy Er:YAG LAD device in combination with a 5-minute application of lidocaine significantly reduced the pain associated with a needle insertion.
D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013997:Time Factors
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine