The Journal of urology
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The Journal of urology · Mar 2008
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyLidocaine 2% gel versus plain lubricating gel for pain reduction during flexible cystoscopy: a meta-analysis of prospective, randomized, controlled trials.
The current literature shows mixed results for the effectiveness of topical intraurethral lidocaine gel as local anesthesia during flexible cystoscopy. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials of the efficacy of 2% lidocaine vs plain gel for decreasing the pain that male patients incur during flexible cystoscopy. ⋯ Based on a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials there is no evidence to suggest a statistically significant difference in the efficacy of pain control between lidocaine gel and plain gel lubrication in men during flexible cystoscopy. This supports the conclusion that its benefit is limited to lubrication and any other perceived benefit is consistent with placebo.