ALKALINIZATION OF LIGNOCAINE TO REDUCE THE PAIN OF DIGITAL NERVE BLOCKADE

Objective-To see if the alkalinisation of lignocaine caused a reductio n in the pain of injection for digital nerve blockade. Methods-The stu dy was a prospective randomised double blind study with each patient a cting as their own control. During the study period, all patients aged 16 years and over presenting to the accident and emergency department with a condition requiring digital nerve blockade were considered for inclusion in the study. Each patient received an injection of both al kalinised and non-alkalinised lignocaine. The pain of each injection w as then assessed on a visual analogue scale. Results-98 patients were entered in the study. The mean difference in pain scores between the n on-alkalinised and alkalinised injections was 0.739, P < 0.001, 95% co nfidence interval 0.47 to 1.01. Conclusions-Alkalinisation of lignocai ne reduces the pain of injection for digital nerve blockade.