Reduction in Procedure-associated Pain by Treatment with a Unique Topical Anesthetic Foam Containing 4% Lidocaine.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated a unique formulation of lidocaine 4% in an emollient aerosol foam microemulsion system to facilitate rapid delivery of the active ingredient and reduce pain associated with cosmetic dermatologic laser treatment.


METHODS
This was a noncontrolled, open-label, paired, comparison study.


METHODS
Private practice dermatology clinic.


METHODS
Ten patients undergoing various cosmetic laser treatments, 18 years of age or older and considered clinically appropriate for study participation.


METHODS
Primary endpoints were patient and clinician assessments of procedural pain intensity for the treated and untreated areas. Ratings were recorded on a visual analog scale ranging from "no pain at all" to "the most intense pain imaginable." Secondary study endpoints included clinician and patient subjective assessments of the lidocaine 4% foam.


RESULTS
Mean patient and clinician ratings of pain were significantly lower for areas treated with the lidocaine 4% foam compared with pain ratings for untreated areas. No adverse events were reported. Clinician's mean ratings for ease of application and overall satisfaction were favorable.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this pilot, 10-patient, open-label study suggest that the lidocaine 4% foam may be acceptable to both patients and clinicians for the safe and effective reduction of pain associated with cosmetic dermatologic laser procedures. However, a blinded, placebo-controlled study of a larger population is needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Frankel
Ellen
E
Trumbore
Mark W
MW