OUTPATIENT MYRINGOTOMY WITH EMLA ANESTHESIA

Local anaesthesia of surface skin has been made more acceptable to pat ients by the introduction of an absorbable topical anaesthetic prepara tion which reduces the need for infiltration anaesthesia and has been shown to be significantly effective upon the tympanic membrane. This p reparation, EMLA cream, was used as the basis for establishing an outp atient-based minor operating list for performing adult myringotomy and grommet insertion. The technique and procedure adopted proved to be c onvenient, highly effective and economical and completely obviated the need for general anaesthesia in suitable cases. This approach has res ulted in a significantly improved utilization of valuable day-case sur gical facilities and has become an established feature in this departm ent.