In Vivo Assessment of Percutaneous Anesthetic Patch ( 4 % Tetracaine Cream ) / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Application of percutaneous local anesthesia for painfree venepuncture has been studied for more than 30 years. Practically, Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) has been available in clinical fields, and current studies suggest that 4% tetracaine would appear to have a more rapid onset, greater potency and longer duration than EMLA. This study was designed to assess the anesthetic effect of 4% tetracaine cream with a carbomer and a methylcellulose base. We studied onset time and two bases were compared with respect to pain score and allergic reactions of the skin. 4% tetracaine cream produced significant anesthesia after a 35-45 min. application and statistical analysis indicated that the carbomer base produced a more effective percutaneous local anesthesia to pin-prick test than the methylcellulose base. But there were no significant differences in allergic reactions. Therefore, 4% tetracaine cream can be applied to the skin without discomfort and alleviates pain from the needle puncture, especially in children.