Comparison of Local Anesthetic Efficiency of Tramadol Hydrochloride and Lidocaine Hydrochloride.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the local anesthetic efficiency of tramadol versus lidocaine hydrochloride in maxillary infiltration anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized double-blinded study involving 50 healthy volunteers. In the experimental part of this study, each volunteer received a buccal 0.5-mL injection of tramadol hydrochloride 25 mg on one side and a buccal 0.5-mL injection of vasoconstrictor-free lidocaine hydrochloride 20 mg on the other side. No other treatment was performed. After the injections, total duration of anesthesia, start and finish times of anesthesia, soft tissue (sensory) innervation, depth of anesthetic, possible side effects, and satisfaction levels were recorded from all volunteers. RESULTS: There was no relevant difference between solutions for total anesthesia duration and peak values. However, statistically, the effect of lidocaine started and ended early. The efficacy of tramadol was markedly more effective in the gingiva and skin, especially at 15 and 20 minutes, compared with lidocaine. Both anesthetic agents were well tolerated by the volunteers. CONCLUSION: Tramadol hydrochloride can be a good alternative to local anesthetic agents and beneficial to support anesthesia during long operations.

Comparison of local anesthetic efficacy of tramadol hydrochloride (with adrenaline) versus plain tramadol hydrochloride in the extraction of upper molar teeth.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of local anesthesia using tramadol hydrochloride (HCl) with versus without adrenaline in the extraction of upper molar teeth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a double-blinded study that included 100 patients who required extraction of 1 upper molar by the conventional method and were allocated randomly into 1 of 2 groups: in group A (n = 50), each patient received an initial dose of drug A (tramadol HCl 50 mg and adrenalin 0.0225 mg diluted to 1.8 mL by distilled water); in group B (n = 50), each patient received an initial dose of drug B (tramadol HCl 50 mg diluted to 1.8 mL by distilled water). Degree of pain during tooth extraction, duration of surgery, and total number of cartridges used were recorded intraoperatively. Postoperatively, patients were instructed to record any adverse effects, such as nausea or vomiting, on the first day of the operation. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the number of cartridges used and the degree of intraoperative pain. However, there was no significant difference in duration of surgery or side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that tramadol HCl in combination with adrenaline can be used as an alternative local anesthetic in oral and maxillofacial surgery when, for some unusual reason, a patient cannot receive a conventional local anesthetic.