title: Topical anaesthesia to reduce pain associated with carpal tunnel surgery.
abstract: This randomized, double-blinded study assessed the effectiveness of a topical anaesthetic, eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA), in reducing pain associated with carpal tunnel release performed under local anaesthetic. Fifty-six patients undergoing carpal tunnel release under local anaesthetic were randomized into either EMLA (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27) groups. Visual analogue pain scores were obtained for needle insertion, injection of anaesthetic and surgery itself. Pain scores were significantly less for needle insertion (P = 0.001) and injection of anaesthetic (P = 0.0005). Scores related to surgery were also lower in the EMLA group, but this did not reach statistical significance.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D009824:Ointments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine