Lidocaine Iontophoresis Research Articles

Anesthesia of the ear by iontophoresis of lidocaine.

Anesthesia of the tympanic membrane and ear canal by the use of iontophoresis of local anesthetics is a painless and safe method of anesthesia for office myringotomy and polyethylene tube insertion, and possibly for surgical use as well. With the use of guinea pig models, the introduction of 4% lidocaine hydrochloride solution in the middle ear space with iontophoresis revealed no toxic effects on the eighth nerve, and epinephrine hydrocloride potentiates the effects of lidocaine and has no protective mechanism on the eighth nerve function.

Local anesthesia of the ear by iontophoresis.

The use of iontophoresis to introduce lidocaine into the external ear had no adverse effect upon the guinea pig's ear as measured by their alternating current cochlear potentials. Iontophoresis of lidocaine filling the middle ear space also did not affect the guinea pig's cochlear potentials. Iontophoresis of cocaine in the middle ear produced a drastic reduction of the cochlear potential. Iontophoresis of lidocaine in the external ear of humans produced anesthesia of the eardrum. The depth of anesthesia in the humans was sufficient as to permit the execution of painless myringotomies. Using iontophoresis, anesthesia of the human ear canal could only be produced when the eardrum was prevented from serving as an electric current path.