Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using lidocaine patch 5% in traumatic rib fractures.
The lidocaine patch 5% was developed to treat postherpetic neuralgia. Anecdotal experience at our institution suggests the lidocaine patch 5% decreases narcotic usage in patients with traumatic rib fractures. This trial was developed to define the patch's efficacy. ⋯ The lidocaine patch 5% does not significantly improve pain control in polytrauma patients with traumatic rib fractures.