Lidocaine Iontophoresis for Topical Anesthesia Before Dermatologic Procedures in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Local anesthesia by injection in pediatric patients undergoing dermatologic procedures is not well received because of the pain of injection and the fear of needles. Lidocaine iontophoresis is a method of topical anesthesia where lidocaine is driven into the skin under the influence of electric current. We performed a prospective double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of iontophoresis of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. Sixty children requiring dermatologic procedures were enrolled (50 shave biopsy, 7 curettage, 2 injection, 1 punch biopsy). Twenty-nine of 31 patients in the lidocaine group versus 2 of 29 placebo patients required no supplemental anesthesia (p < 0.001). The pain reported by the patients on the Oucher pain scale subsequent to the procedure was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (p < 0.001). Investigators and parents also rated pain lower in the lidocaine group (p < 0.001). Blanching and/or erythema occurred in 58 of 60 patients, but resolved within 1 hour in all patients. There were no other adverse events. Lidocaine iontophoresis is a safe and effective method of topical anesthesia prior to dermatologic procedures in children.