• Amy K Schecter, David M Pariser, Robert J Pariser, Mark R Ling, Daniel Stewart, and Neil S Sadick.
• Department of Dermatology, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
• Dermatol Surg. 2005 Mar 1;31(3):287-91.

BackgroundTopical anesthetics offer a noninvasive method of anesthesia.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the lidocaine/tetracaine patch, a 1:1 (wt:wt) eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, for local anesthesia before minor dermatologic procedures in geriatric patients.MethodsIn a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 79 patients over the age of 65 years received a 30-minute application of either the lidocaine/tetracaine patch or placebo immediately before a shave biopsy or superficial excision. The primary measure of efficacy was patient assessment of procedural pain using the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary efficacy end points included patient, investigator, and independent observer assessments.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference (p = .041) in patient ratings of pain by VAS score in the active group (9.5 mm) compared with the placebo group (22.5 mm). None of the secondary end points showed a statistically significant difference between groups. No adverse events were reported.ConclusionThe lidocaine/tetracaine patch is a safe and effective method for noninvasive induction of local anesthesia for minor dermatologic procedures in patients over the age of 65 years.

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