Lidocaine/prilocaine optimal for deeper dermal laser procedures

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing deeper dermal laser treatments of acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) and tattoos, lidocaine/prilocaine cream is better for reducing pain than lidocaine/tetracaine cream, according to a study published online July 5 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Karin Greveling, M.D., from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and colleagues compared the efficacy of lidocaine/tetracaine cream and lidocaine/prilocaine cream in reducing pain during deeper dermal laser treatments of AKN and tattoos. Two randomized trials were conducted involving 15 patients with AKN (Study A) and 15 with black tattoos (Study B).

The researchers found that visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were lower for lidocaine/prilocaine cream in both studies, with a mean VAS difference of 1.9 and 0.6 in Study A and B, respectively. Adequate pain relief was achieved in 13 percent with lidocaine/tetracaine, compared to 73 percent with lidocaine/prilocaine in Study A (P = 0.004); the corresponding proportions in Study B were 53 and 80 percent (P = 0.289). In Study A and Study B, 47 and 73 percent of participants, respectively, were willing to pay an additional 25 euros. There were no serious adverse events reported.

"Lidocaine/prilocaine cream under plastic occlusion is the preferred topical anesthetic during painful laser procedures targeting dermal chromophores," the authors write.

Pliaglis was donated by the manufacturer, Galderma.

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