• T Inada, F Uesugi, S Kawachi, and K Inada.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Shimane, Japan.
• Can J Anaesth. 1997 Mar 1;44(3):259-62.

PurposeTo investigate the efficacy of lidocaine tape, a new preparation of lidocaine for cutaneous topical anaesthesia in the form of a self-adhesive tape, in alleviating the pain of needle insertion during stellate ganglion block.MethodsIn a double-blind, placebo controlled study, 30 adult outpatients undergoing stellate ganglion block were allocated to receive all of the following five treatments in random order: placebo tape applied to the intended site of the block (control), or lidocaine tape applied for 7, 15, 30, and 60 min. After the block was performed using a 24-gauge needle, the pain associated with needle insertion was assessed using a visual analogue scale (10 cm VAS) and the four-point verbal rating score (VRS 0-3).ResultsWith placebo tape, the VAS and VRS scores were 2.4 +/- 1.27 (0.5-4.8) (mean +/- SD (range)) and 1.5 (1-2) (mean (range)), respectively. The pain scores were reduced (P < 0.01) by lidocaine tape after application for 7 min (1.6 +/- 1.06 and 1.0 (0-2) for VAS (mean +/- SD) and VRS (mean (range)), respectively), 15 min (1.5 +/- 1.00 and 1.0 (1-2)), 30 min (1.5 +/- 1.08 and 1.0 (1)), and 60 min (0.6 +/- 0.70 and 0.6 (0-1)). Skin erythema was more frequent with lidocaine tape than with placebo tape (seven minutes of lidocaine tape vs placebo tape, P < 0.05; 15, 30, and 60 min of lidocaine tape vs placebo, P < 0.0005).ConclusionStellate ganglion block without analgesia is fairly painful in some patients, even when using a 24-gauge needle, and needle pain is reduced by lidocaine tape after an application time of seven minutes or more.

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