Pediatric dermatology
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Pediatric dermatology · Jul 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialLidocaine iontophoresis for topical anesthesia before dermatologic procedures in children: a randomized controlled trial.
Local anesthesia by injection in pediatric patients undergoing dermatologic procedures is not well received because of the pain of injection and the fear of needles. Lidocaine iontophoresis is a method of topical anesthesia where lidocaine is driven into the skin under the influence of electric current. We performed a prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of iontophoresis of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. ⋯ Blanching and/or erythema occurred in 58 of 60 patients, but resolved within 1 hour in all patients. There were no other adverse events. Lidocaine iontophoresis is a safe and effective method of topical anesthesia prior to dermatologic procedures in children.