Analgesic effects of local anesthetic cream in cryotherapy for warts: a meta-analysis of randomized trials
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
Chin-Yu Lee1, Tao-Hsin Tung2,3, Chia-Yu Liu1
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
Background And Objective:
Local anesthetic cream (LAC) has been used for analgesia in various procedures. However, the analgesic effect of LAC in cryotherapy for warts is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of LAC in cryotherapy for warts.
Material And Methods:
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of LAC in cryotherapy for warts. We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE on 31 March 2017 for relevant RCTs. Two authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. Disagreement was resolved by discussion with a third author.
Results:
We included three RCTs with 228 participants. Two included RCTs had a high risk of reporting bias, with one having a high risk of other bias as well. Use of LAC decreased the pain associated with cryotherapy for warts on the hardened skin of children (visual analogue scale, mean difference -20.80, 95 % confidence interval -40.71 to -0.89), but not in adults or on the nonhardened skin of either adults or children.
Conclusions:
The available evidence does not support the routine use of LAC applied for ≤ 60 min in cryotherapy for warts.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

