PRETREATMENT WITH TOPICAL 60-PERCENT LIDOCAINE TAPE REDUCES PAIN ON INJECTION OF PROPOFOL

We determined whether pretreatment with topical 60% lidocaine tape red uced the incidence of pain on injection of propofol compared with mixi ng intravenous lidocaine with propofol. In a randomized, double-blind trial, 90 patients were allocated to one of three groups: pretreatment with a bioocclusive dressing and administration of a premixed solutio n of propofol 180 mg and 2 mt of normal saline (Group A); pretreatment with 60% lidocaine tape and a premixed solution of propofol and norma l saline (Group B); or pretreatment with a bioocclusive dressing and a premixed solution of propofol 180 mg and lidocaine 40 mg (Group C). T he incidences of pain in Groups A, B, and C were 86.7%, 33.4%, and 20% , respectively. Group B and Group C had a significantly lower incidenc e of pain than Group A. There was no significant difference in the inc idence of pain between Group B and Group C. There was no significant d ifference in the distribution of site of pain on injection of propofol among the three groups. Pretreatment with topical 60% lidocaine tape reduced the incidence of pain on injection of propofol similar to that of intravenous lidocaine mixed with propofol. Implications: Pretreatm ent with topical 60% lidocaine tape reduces the pain associated with i njection of propofol, a frequently used intravenous anesthetic. This a pproach should increase patient comfort during induction of anesthesia .