S. Kumar et al., EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE AS A LOCAL-ANESTHETIC AGENT FOR INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR - A PILOT-STUDY, British journal of clinical practice, 51(1), 1997, pp. 33-35
Promethazine hydrochloride is known to possess properties as a local a
naesthetic which scientists have not researched well. Therefore, a pro
spective, randomised, double-blind clinical study was conducted to eva
luate the efficacy of promethazine hydrochloride compared to lignocain
e hydrochloride, when used as a local anaesthetic agent. Twenty adult
male patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were included in the s
tudy. Regional nerve block technique was employed in all the patients.
Efficacy of the agents was assessed on a four-point pain scale nd by
recording the pulse and the blood pressure. Promethazine hydrochloride
was found to be as effective as lignocaine hydrochloride in terms of
the intensity and the duration of regional anaesthesia produced. None
of the patients from either group required additional anaesthesia in a
ny form, and no complications were witnessed. To conclude, promethazin
e hydrochloride appears to be a safe alternative to lignocaine hydroch
loride for performing surgery under regional anaesthesia.