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The use of EMLA reduces the pain associated with digital ring block for ingrowing toenail correction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

J. Browne ,
M. Fung ,
M. Donnelly  and
C. Cooney
J. Browne
Affiliation:
Pain Relief Research Unit, Department of Anaesthesia, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK
M. Fung
Affiliation:
Pain Relief Research Unit, Department of Anaesthesia, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK
M. Donnelly
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia, Meath/Adelaide Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
C. Cooney
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia, Meath/Adelaide Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract

Treatment of ingrowing toenail is commonly performed under local anaesthesia with a digital ring block. Ring block can be associated with significant pain, caused by needle insertion and deposition of the local anaesthetic agent. EMLA, a topical anaesthetic cream, is widely used to alleviate the pain of venepuncture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the discomfort of digital block could be reduced by prior application of EMLA. Fifty–five patients who were scheduled for ingrowing toenail under local anaesthesia were randomized into two groups. In Group 1 (n = 30), EMLA was applied around the base of the affected hallux for at least 1 h before ring block. In Group 2 (n = 25), a placebo cream was used. In this double-blind study, patients assessed the pain caused by a standardized ring block using 100-mm visual analogue pain score. The mean visual analogue pain score in Group 1 was 28.1 and 50.1 in Group 2 (P<0.0001). We conclude that EMLA significantly reduces the pain associated with digital ring block.

Keywords

surgeryingrowing toenailanaesthetic techniquesring blockpainEMLA
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 17 , Issue 3 , March 2000 , pp. 182 - 184
Copyright
2000 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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