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Topical anesthetic agents in dermatologic surgery. A review
Summary
The search for an ideal topical anesthetic continues, aiming for painless, effective anesthesia on intact skin. Current options like EMLA, iontophoresis, and anesthetic patches offer alternatives to painful injections for dermatologic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The ideal topical anesthetic provides rapid, complete anesthesia without pain or systemic effects.
- Effective topical agents are needed to replace painful injections of lidocaine before dermatologic procedures.
- The quest for superior topical anesthetics remains an ongoing challenge in dermatologic practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review historical topical anesthetic methods.
- To present current topical anesthetic agents in use.
- To explore future directions in topical anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of topical anesthetic agents.
- Analysis of current clinical practices in dermatology.
- Evaluation of emerging anesthetic technologies.
Main Results:
- EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) is widely used by dermatologists.
- Iontophoresis and anesthetic patches are effective alternatives to EMLA, offering distinct advantages.
- Liposomal agents represent a promising future development in topical anesthesia.
Conclusions:
- Various methods for topical anesthesia have been developed over the past three decades.
- While EMLA is common, iontophoresis and anesthetic patches provide comparable efficacy with benefits.
- Future advancements in topical anesthesia may involve liposomal formulations.