title: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the lidocaine/tetracaine patch for induction of local anesthesia prior to minor dermatologic procedures in geriatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical anesthetics offer a noninvasive method of anesthesia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the lidocaine/tetracaine patch, a 1:1 (wt:wt) eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, for local anesthesia before minor dermatologic procedures in geriatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 79 patients over the age of 65 years received a 30-minute application of either the lidocaine/tetracaine patch or placebo immediately before a shave biopsy or superficial excision. The primary measure of efficacy was patient assessment of procedural pain using the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary efficacy end points included patient, investigator, and independent observer assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference (p = .041) in patient ratings of pain by VAS score in the active group (9.5 mm) compared with the placebo group (22.5 mm). None of the secondary end points showed a statistically significant difference between groups. No adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lidocaine/tetracaine patch is a safe and effective method for noninvasive induction of local anesthesia for minor dermatologic procedures in patients over the age of 65 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Schecter
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pariser
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pariser
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Neil S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Sadick
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001706:Biopsy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; C493081:S-Caine Peel; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine