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Local anesthesia with EMLA cream for maxillary sinus puncture
Veli-Pekka Joki-Erkkilä1, Matti Penttilä, Janne Kääriäinen
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology
|January 22, 2002
Summary
EMLA cream offers a superior topical anesthesia for maxillary sinus puncture compared to traditional lidocaine-adrenaline solution. This new method significantly reduces pain during anesthesia application and the procedure itself, improving patient tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Anesthesiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Maxillary sinus puncture traditionally uses local anesthetic via cotton-tipped applicators, causing pain and discomfort.
- Patient experience is negatively impacted by the pain of applicator insertion and prolonged waiting times for anesthetic effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel topical anesthesia method for maxillary sinus puncture using EMLA cream.
- To compare the efficacy and tolerability of EMLA cream versus a traditional lidocaine-adrenaline solution for sinus puncture anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving 20 adult patients undergoing bilateral maxillary sinus puncture.
- One nasal side received lidocaine-adrenaline (LA) via applicator; the other received EMLA cream via suction needle and syringe.
- Pain scores (visual analog scale) and time to anesthesia were recorded for both methods.
Main Results:
- EMLA cream resulted in significantly lower pain scores during anesthesia application (9.1 vs 39.2) and puncture (8.6 vs 25.1) compared to LA.
- Anesthesia onset was quicker with EMLA cream (p = .02).
- 70% of patients preferred EMLA cream for its tolerability and faster action.
Conclusions:
- EMLA cream provides a better-tolerated and faster-acting topical anesthesia for maxillary sinus puncture than traditional LA.
- This method enhances patient comfort and potentially streamlines the sinus puncture procedure.