Topical Tetracaine Research Articles

Effect of topical application of tetracaine on intraocular pressure in dogs: Preliminary results

To evaluate the effect of topical application of tetracaine on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by Tonopen in dogs. Six healthy male Epagneul Bretons (group 1) and six healthy male black Labrador Retrievers (group 2) were examined. IOP was measured in the right eye (OD) prior to (IOP1) and 1 minute following instillation of one drop of topical tetracaine (IOP 2), and the left eye (OS) (control) prior to (IOP 3) and 1 minute following instillation of one drop of isotonic saline solution (IOP 4). Measurements were performed on two occasions: at 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. For both groups, IOP measurements were higher in the morning than in the afternoon. For group 1, IOP1 mean (SD), IOP2 mean (SD), IOP3 mean (SD) and IOP4 mean (SD) were 14.6 (2.2) mmHg, 11.3 (3.2) mmHg, 14.4 (2.2) mmHg and 13.5 (3.9) mmHg respectively, while in group 2, IOP1 mean (SD), IOP2 mean (SD), IOP3 mean (SD) and IOP4 mean (SD) were 14.2 (3.8) mmHg, 9.5 (3.7) mmHg, 13.5 (2.8) mmHg and 13.0 (3.8) mmHg respectively. For both groups at each time point, IOP 2 values were significantly lower (P<0.007) than IOP 1 values, whereas IOP 3 and 4 values were not significantly different (P>0.27). This study demonstrates that topical application of tetracaine significantly lowers IOP measured by Tonopen due to a possible interaction with melanin. The potential effect of topical anesthetics should be taken in consideration when performing applanation tonometry for clinical, pharmacological and toxicological studies.

Ocular Pain After Intravitreal Injection

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of different anesthetics and topical anti-inflammatory treatment in patients undergoing intravitreal injections (IVI).Methods: Prospective, randomized, double masked, comparative study. Patients undergoing 0.05 mL IVI were randomized to two different preoperative anesthetic regimes (regime A [0.5% tetracaine + naphazoline] versus regime B [5% lidocaine]) and two different post-injection topical protocols (protocol 1 [tobramycin qid] versus protocol 2 [tobramycin qid + diclofenac qid]). Patients were trained to score pain using a numerical rating pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (excruciating pain) immediately after the injection, 30 min and 24 h later. Patients were instructed to take oral paracetamol (650–1000 mg, adjusted to the patient’s weight) every six hours ad lib if necessary.Results: A total of 156 patients were enrolled; 86 patients were randomized to regime A and 70 to regime B; 78 patients were assigned to each of the post-injection topical protocols. The average pain score immediately after the IVI was 2.77 (SD 2.12) for the whole group (2.85, SD 2.23 with tetracaine and 2.67, SD 2.00 with lidocaine; p = 0.73, Mann–Whitney U-test). Twenty-four hours later, the average pain score was 1.84, SD 2.45 (topical diclofenac + tobramycin) versus 1.75, SD 1.83 (topical tobramycin; p = 0.46, Mann–Whitney U-test). Forty-seven patients (30%) required oral paracetamol (average 3.3 and range 1–5 tablets). Conjunctival hemorrhage 30 min after the injection was less frequent and severe in eyes treated with topical naphazoline (p = 0.055, Mann–Whitney U-test).Conclusions: Topical tetracaine and lidocaine provide similar anesthesia before IVI. Topical diclofenac does not seem to reduce pain scores after IVI.

Comparing lignocaine-adrenaline-tetracaine gel with lignocaine infiltration for anesthesia during repair of lacerations: A randomized trial.

This study aimed to compare the topical anesthetic lignocaine, adrenaline, and tetracaine (LAT) (4% lignocaine, 1:2 000 adrenaline, 1% tetracaine) with the conventional lignocaine infiltration(LI) for repair of minor lacerations, for the comfort of anesthetic administration, efficacy, adverse effects and cost. This was a prospective randomized clinical trial. Forty Asian patients who required toilet and suture for minor lacerations in the emergency department of the Singapore General Hospital over a 4-month period. The patients were assigned randomly to 2 arms of treatment. The first was the LAT gel group who had LAT gel applied to the laceration prior to suturing. The second was the control group in whom the anesthetic administered was lignocaine infiltration (LI) via a syringe. The pain of the process of administering anesthetic and efficacy of anesthesia were scored using the visual pain scale included within. The efficacy of LAT vs. lignocaine infiltration as an anesthetic prior to the toilet and suture of minor lacerations and complications of therapy. Twenty patients were randomized to LAT gel and 16 to LI on an intention to treat analysis. The mean pain score by patients in the LAT gel group was 2.5 (0.52 SE), and 2.5 (0.58 SE) in the LI group. The pain score for pain during application of the anesthetic was 1.5 (0.40) in the LAT gel group, and 3.5 (0.46) in the LI group. There was no difference in complications between the LAT and LI groups. LAT gel prior to the toilet and suture of minor lacerations is proven to be as efficacious as LI in terms of patient comfort and effectiveness of anesthesia. The complications are also comparable to those treated with LI.

Arrhythmia Associated With Tetracaine in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Premature Infant

Infants in NICUs undergo a variety of painful procedures. The management of pain has become an integral part of newborn infant care with the use of both systemic and topical agents to provide analgesia and anesthesia for procedural pain. Tetracaine and prilocaine-lidocaine are the 2 topical anesthetics most frequently used. Tetracaine belongs to an ester group of local anesthetics available as a topical 4% gel (Ametop, Smith and Nephew, Canada). The major side effects reported when using topical anesthetics are cutaneous reactions. There are no definite reports of systemic toxicity in the published literature. We present a recent case of an extremely low birth weight premature infant who developed a clinically significant arrhythmia after topical tetracaine was applied before the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter. The infant had no other identifiable cause for the resulting bradycardia that occurred only after Ametop was applied. The cardiac symptoms resolved with treatment. This case highlights a significant potential adverse event when using topical tetracaine.

Cross-over study of topical anaesthesia with tetracaine solution for transoral rigid laryngoscopy

Transoral rigid laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy is the most practical method to visualise the vocal folds. The optimal topical anaesthesia regimen for transoral rigid laryngoscopy has not yet been established. To compare patient comfort and compliance with various topical anaesthetics for transoral rigid laryngoscopy. Each of 10 patients received a random topical administration of either 2 per cent lidocaine gel, 1 per cent tetracaine gel or 1 per cent tetracaine solution, 10 minutes before undergoing rigid laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy. During follow-up laryngoscopies, the agent with the lowest mean visual analogue scale score for discomfort was then used to study the timing of topical anaesthetic application: the agent was given to the patient 5, 10 or 15 minutes before laryngoscopy (with the timing randomly selected). Compared with lidocaine gel or tetracaine gel, laryngoscopy with topical tetracaine solution was more comfortable. There was a statistically significant difference in discomfort score between the 5 and 10 minute application groups, but not between the 10 and 15 minute groups. Tetracaine solution, applied topically 10 minutes before transoral rigid laryngoscopy, significantly decreases patient discomfort.

Paediatric adjustable strabismus surgery

Sir, We commend Nihalani and Hunter1 on an excellent review of the adjustable suture strabismus surgery literature, especially with regard to paediatric squints. As the authors mention, the benefits of adjustable sutures have been demonstrated in both adults and children, although there is a general reluctance in attempting this technique in children owing to the perception that it would not be tolerated by the patient. Between 2007 and 2010, our experience of adjustable suture use in a paediatric population aged between 8–15 years (mean 12.3 years old) reflects the benefits of this technique. Our current practice involves a hangback technique with a 6/0 vicryl adjustable, slip-knot tie, followed by sub-Tenon's levobupivacaine (5 mg/ml). Within 2–3 h of recovery from general anaesthesia, topical tetracaine hydrochloride 1% is instilled and a prism cover test is performed. The suture is adjusted as required and the conjunctiva closed with 8-0 vicryl in the treatment room. Ninety-five percent (20/21) of our paediatric patients were able to tolerate this technique, with only one requiring a second general anaesthetic. The vast majority (90%) had a resultant angle <10 prism dioptres (Figure 1). Figure 1 Preoperative and postoperative angle of deviation for (a) distance and (b) near. While we agree that a certain amount of experience is required with adjustable sutures for this population, we feel the most important factor is suitable patient selection and thorough preoperative counselling of both the patient and the parents. We find that with suitable scrutiny it is possible to identify those who will tolerate the adjustment, such that the surgeon should not feel intimidated by the prospect of adjustment in this group of patients.

Comparative efficacy of topical tetracaine solution versus lidocaine gel in cataract surgery

Comparative efficacy of topical tetracaine solution versus lidocaine gel in cataract surgery Roberto Bellucci1, Francesco Bellucci21Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Hospital and University of Verona, Verona, Italy; 2Faculty of Psychology, University of Parma, Parma, ItalyBackground: Cataract surgery is mainly performed under topical anesthesia achieved either by tetracaine solution (0.5%&ndash;1.0%) or gel (0.5%), or by 2% lidocaine gel. This paper reviews the current knowledge about these two drugs, with special emphasis on a published prospective comparison between them.Methods: The main pharmacological aspects of topical anesthetic agents are summarized, explaining the difference between the ester (tetracaine) and the amide (lidocaine) compounds. Tetracaine is available as single-use eye drops, or as a multidose gel containing benzalkonium chloride, a preservative not contained in the multidose lidocaine gel. A literature search was performed, using &ldquo;tetracaine&rdquo;, &ldquo;tetracaine gel&rdquo;, &ldquo;lidocaine&rdquo;, &ldquo;lidocaine gel&rdquo;, &ldquo;lidocaine jelly&rdquo;, and &ldquo;cataract surgery&rdquo; as keywords, and compiling cross-references. A total of 25 studies were identified and included in this review. Of them, seven were uncontrolled studies describing different experiences with the drugs of interest, and 18 were controlled studies. Six studies directly compared tetracaine eye drops or gel with lidocaine gel before cataract surgery.Results: Both tetracaine solution and gel and lidocaine gel proved to be effective in providing analgesia before cataract surgery. Both drugs were comparable with needle injection anesthesia when intracameral lidocaine was added to topical treatment. Direct comparisons indicate better activity for tetracaine when used at the 1% concentration in single-dose units, or in the gel form at a 0.5% concentration. Patients showed a slight preference for the agent that caused the least discomfort when administered (lidocaine), while the surgical complication rate and the surgeon satisfaction were the same with either drug.Conclusion: Tetracaine solution and lidocaine gel were equally effective in providing topical anesthesia for cataract surgery in the published studies. Tetracaine was found to be better than lidocaine only if augmented by either increasing the concentration to 1% (solution) or by increasing the penetration by adding benzalkonium chloride (gel).Keywords: tetracaine, tetracaine gel, lidocaine, lidocaine gel, cataract surgery

RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF ANESTHETIC METHODS FOR INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS

To compare the effectiveness of four different anesthetic methods for intravitreal injection. Twenty-four patients each received four intravitreal injections using each of four types of anesthesia (proparacaine, tetracaine, lidocaine pledget, and subconjunctival injection of lidocaine) in a prospective, masked, randomized block design. Pain was graded by the patient on a 0 to 10 scale for both the anesthesia and the injection. The average combined pain scores for both the anesthesia and the intravitreal injection were 4.4 for the lidocaine pledget, 3.5 for topical proparacaine, 3.8 for the subconjunctival lidocaine injection, and 4.1 for topical tetracaine. The differences were not significant (P = 0.65). There were also no statistical differences in the individual anesthesia or injection pain scores. Subconjunctival lidocaine injection had the most side effects. Topical anesthesia is an effective method for limiting pain associated with intravitreal injections.

Anesthetic management for pediatric strabismus surgery: Continuing Professional Development

Strabismus surgery is one of the most common pediatric ophthalmic procedures. The purpose of this continuing professional development module is to update physicians on the anesthetic considerations of pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery. The preoperative assessment is important, as patients undergoing strabismus surgery may have an associated neuromuscular disorder, congenital syndrome, or cardiac disease. Malignant hyperthermia is no longer considered as being an issue associated with strabismus. The laryngeal mask airway is used frequently and has been shown as being associated with a low incidence of complications in strabismus surgery. The anesthesia technique can be adapted to decrease the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex and the oculorespiratory reflex, and the use of anticholinergic prophylaxis remains debatable. Since patients are at high risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), combination anti-emetic therapy is recommended using dexamethasone and ondansetron. Metoclopramide was not found to provide additional benefit when combined with other anti-emetics. Droperidol is effective, but there remains a black box warning for dysrhythmias. Effective analgesics in this patient population include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, peribulbar blocks, and subtenon blocks. Topical tetracaine drops have demonstrated mixed results, and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drops were found not to be effective. The use of opioids should be minimized due to the increased incidence of PONV. To provide optimal care for the pediatric patient undergoing strabismus surgery, it is important to understand the unique anesthetic considerations for strabismus surgery and to appreciate how each decision regarding the anesthetic technique can alter these considerations.

The effect of combined topical-intracameral anaesthesia on neuroleptic requirements during cataract surgery

Objective: To evaluate whether the addition of intracameral lidocaine to topical anaesthesia during cataract surgery leads to a decrease in the administration of intraoperative midazolam and fentanyl. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Participants: The eyes of 124 patients undergoing phacoemulsification were included in the study, with 62 in the intracameral group and 62 in the control group. Methods: A single-centre, retrospective chart review of cases between April and October 2007 in which patients had undergone small-incision phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens insertion and received preoperatively either topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% (intracameral group) or topical tetracaine 0.5% alone (control group). Intraoperatively, midazolam and fentanyl were administered as needed based on pain and anxiety. Results: A total of 124 eyes (124 patients) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean intraoperative midazolam doses given for the 2 groups ( p = 0.08). The mean intraoperative dose of fentanyl was lower in the intracameral than in the control group ( p < 0.0001). A comparison of intraoperative fentanyl requirements between groups using a multivariate regression analysis for age, gender, surgical time, and preopera-tive fentanyl levels confirmed the lower need for intraoperative fentanyl in the intracameral compared with the control group ( p = 0.0037). There were no anaesthetic complications among any of the study patients. Conclusions: Patients receiving topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% during cataract surgery demonstrated a reduction in intraoperative fentanyl requirements. Surgeons performing cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia should consider the addition of intracameral lidocaine 1% to decrease fentanyl requirements and improve patient safety and comfort.

Local anaesthesia for manipulation of nasal fractures: systematic review

To determine the most effective local anaesthetic method for manipulation of nasal fractures, and to compare the efficacy of local anaesthesia with that of general anaesthesia. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, National Research Register and metaRegister of Controlled Trials. We included randomised, controlled trials comparing general anaesthesia with local anaesthesia or comparing different local anaesthetic techniques. Non-randomised studies were also systematically reviewed and appraised. No language restrictions were applied. Five randomised, controlled trials were included, three comparing general anaesthesia versus local anaesthesia and two comparing different local anaesthetic methods. No significant differences were found between local anaesthesia and general anaesthesia as regards pain, cosmesis or nasal patency. The least painful local anaesthetic method was topical tetracaine gel applied to the nasal dorsum together with topical intranasal cocaine solution. Minimal adverse events were reported with local anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia appears to be a safe and effective alternative to general anaesthesia for pain relief during nasal fracture manipulation, with no evidence of inferior outcomes. The least uncomfortable local anaesthetic method included topical tetracaine gel.

Tetracaine (Ametop) Compared to Placebo for Reducing Pain Associated With Intramuscular Injection of Palivizumab (Synagis)

Infants receive many painful immunizations before they are 2 years old. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if topical tetracaine reduces the pain of intramuscular palivizumab compared to placebo. There were two study injections, one with tetracaine and one with placebo. Pain was scored by their parents and a pediatric nurse. Topical tetracaine was not associated with a significant reduction in pain score, although it did lead to faster recovery times. Additional pain-reduction strategies are required.

Safety of Topical Tetracaine in Patients Undergoing Flexible Bronchoscopy

Lidocaine is currently the most commonly used topical anesthetic during flexible bronchoscopy (FFB) in North America. Tetracaine, a longer-acting agent, might produce better airway analgesia; however, previous literature has suggested that tetracaine is more risky and can even result in cardiac arrest. The maximum recommended tetracaine dose for topical anesthesia is 20 mg. Over the past 30 years, our Pulmonary Special Procedures Unit has used topical tetracaine in considerably higher doses. In this study, we sought to review the safety of this approach. We completed a retrospective review of all FFBs performed on nonintubated patients by a single bronchoscopist from January 2005 to February 2007. The primary outcome variables included adverse reactions and tetracaine dose administered. Five hundred thirty-seven FFBs were performed on 431 patients. Patient age ranged from 20 to 94 years, with a mean age of 55 years. Eighty-one percent (n=434) of these FFBs were performed using only topical anesthesia. Tetracaine solution 0.45% was used in 99.6% of these procedures. Mean tetracaine dose was 120 mg (range: 18 to 158 mg). No adverse reactions attributable to tetracaine were noted. Specifically, no cardiac or neurologic events occurred. Bronchospasm was noted in 1.5% of patients and 1 patient required intubation after the procedure owing to severe hypoxemia. This retrospective study suggests that topical tetracaine at doses up to 8 times the "recommended" dose is safe for the use during FFB.

Corneal transplant with topical tetracaine 1% as the sole anaesthetic agent

Corneal transplant with topical tetracaine 1% as the sole anaesthetic agent

Oral Gabapentin for the Treatment of Postoperative Pain after Photorefractive Keratectomy

To evaluate oral gabapentin for postoperative pain after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. In additional to a standard regimen of topical antibiotics, topical steroids, and topical tetracaine as required, all PRK patients at our laser vision center were treated after surgery for pain for a two-month period with Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) [Endo Pharmaceuticals; Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, USA] 5 mg/325 mg as required for three days (control group). Patients completed a pain assessment survey using a faces pain scale (from zero through 6) on the evening of surgery and each subsequent morning and evening until postoperative day 3. A successive cohort of patients received Neurontin (gabapentin) [Pfizer, New York, New York, USA] 300 mg thrice daily (first dose administered two hours or more before the procedure) as an oral pain medication for three days, and the same survey data were collected. Data were collected on 141 patients in each cohort. Successful pain management score (defined as faces zero through 2 on the scale) differences did not reach statistical significance between the two cohorts except on the morning of the second postoperative day, when gabapentin was superior. On all postoperative days, patients in the oxycodone/acetaminophen cohort used significantly less tetracaine eye drops as required. The percent of patients rating overall pain experience as better than expected was 35% and 36%, those rating pain experience as about what was expected was 50% and 49%, and those rating pain experience as worse than expected was 15% and 15% in the oxycodone/acetaminophen and gabapentin cohorts, respectively. We found no difference in overall subjective pain management ratings between gabapentin and oxycodone/acetaminophen for postoperative PRK pain, although gabapentin was associated with significantly more frequent use of anesthetic eye drops as required.

Effects on Pupil Size and Accommodation from Topical Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Tetracaine Hydrochloride

The aim of this study was to quantify the mydriatic and cycloplegic effects from topically applied lidocaine hydrochloride 4% and tetracaine hydrochloride 1% in healthy volunteers. Twenty-six (26) healthy volunteers age 23 +/- 2.5 years were included in this double-masked, randomized, intraindividually comparing study. All participants were given a drop of lidocaine 4% in 1 eye and tetracaine 1% in the contralateral eye three times with a 90-sec interval, which was subject to randomization. Before the eye drops, and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after the application of the last drop, Scheimpflug photography was performed in each eye, and the near point was determined using a near-point ruler. Before the eye drops and at 60 and 120 min, the visual acuity was determined with the ETDRS chart. The extent and time course of the mydriatic and cycloplegic responses were determined. Significant pupil dilation was seen with both substances; an increase from 3.25 +/- 0.48 to 3.52 +/- 0.76 mm (8.8 +/- 3.9%; P = 0.036) at 30 min with lidocaine, and from 3.19 +/- 0.46 to 3.44 +/- 0.49 mm (8.8 +/- 2.9%; P = 0.008) at 45 min with tetracaine. A subgroup analysis revealed that a mydriatic effect could only be detected in eyes with pale irides (P < 0.01). In pigmented irides, a slight miotic effect was noted. A decrease in accommodation was also seen: from 9.8 +/- 1.6 to 9.1 +/- 1.7 D (6.3 +/- 2.9%) at 15 min with lidocaine, and from 9.7 +/- 1.4 to 8.8 +/- 1.5 D (7.8 +/- 3.7%) at 30 min with tetracaine. Again, the effect was more pronounced in pale irides (P < 0.05). Both substances induced a small increase in corneal thickness (P < 0.01). A substantial epithelial opacification was noted with tetracaine, but not with lidocaine. Lidocaine 4% and tetracaine 1% exhibit significant mydriatic effects upon topical administration in eyes with pale irides. The mydriatic effect is more rapid and prolonged with lidocaine than with tetracaine.

How effective is tetracaine 4% gel, before a venipuncture, in reducing procedural pain in infants: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial

Procedural pain relief is sub-optimal in neonates. Topical tetracaine provides pain relief in children. Evidence of its efficacy and safety in neonates is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical tetracaine on the pain response of neonates during a venipuncture. Medically stable infants greater than or equal to 24 weeks gestation, requiring a venipuncture, were included. Following randomization and double blinding, 1.1 g of tetracaine or placebo was applied to the skin for 30 minutes. Participants received oral sucrose if they met local eligibility criteria. The venipuncture was performed according to a standard protocol. A medium effect size in the pain score (corresponding to about 2 point difference in the PIPP score) was considered clinically significant, leading to a sample size of 142 infants, with 80% statistical power. Local skin reactions and immediate adverse cardiorespiratory events were noted. The primary outcome, PIPP score at 1 minute, was analysed using an independent Student's t-test. One hundred and forty two infants were included, 33 +/- 4 weeks gestation, 2100 +/- 900 grams and 6 +/- 3 days of age. There was almost no difference in PIPP scores at 1 minute between groups (mean difference -0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.68 to 1.50; P = . 91). Similarly, there were no differences in PIPP scores during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th minute. Duration of cry did not differ between the groups (median difference, 0; 95% CI, -3 to 0; P = . 84). The majority of infants in both groups received sucrose 24%. Sucrose had a significant effect on the PIPP score, as assessed by an ANOVA model (p = 0.0026). Local skin erythema was observed transiently in 11 infants (7 in the tetracaine and 4 in the placebo group). No serious side effect was observed. Tetracaine did not significantly decrease procedural pain in infants undergoing a venipuncture, when used in combination with routine sucrose administration.

The effect of topical tetracaine eye drops on emergence behavior and pain relief after strabismus surgery

Pediatric strabismus surgery may be associated with postoperative nausea, vomiting, and emergence agitation (restlessness, thrashing, crying, moaning, disorientation). We hypothesize that emergence agitation after strabismus surgery is in part related to pain and that topical tetracaine ophthalmic drops can decrease the intensity and incidence of postoperative pain and emergence agitation. Eighty-eight subjects aged 1 to 12 years scheduled for strabismus surgery were enrolled in a double-masked randomized control trial. The patients were randomized to one of three groups: Group A received normal saline drops before and after surgery; Group B received normal saline drops before and tetracaine 1% drops after surgery; Group C received tetracaine 1% drops before and after surgery. An observer masked to group assignment assessed each patient in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) using both a behavior scale and a modified behavioral pain scale. Patients in Group A were found to be in significantly more pain than Groups B or C at 5 minutes after arrival to the PACU (p < 0.013). Using the behavior scale, a significantly greater proportion of patients in Group A were crying or crying and thrashing at 5, 15, and 30 minutes after arrival to the PACU (5 minutes, p < 0.019; 15 minutes, p < 0.041; 30 minutes, p < 0.021). There was no significant difference between groups in total PACU time, PACU vomiting, PACU morphine use, or pain at home. Postoperative strabismus surgery pain was improved by the use of preoperative, and pre- and postoperative, tetracaine drops. Emergence agitation was not fully evaluated by the behavioral scale, and therefore, the effect of tetracaine drops on emergence agitation was not clarified. This study suggests that tetracaine drops can lead to a less stressful early postoperative experience for the patient.

How effective is tetracaine 4% gel, before a venipuncture, in reducing procedural pain in infants: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial

BackgroundProcedural pain relief is sub-optimal in neonates. Topical tetracaine provides pain relief in children. Evidence of its efficacy and safety in neonates is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical tetracaine on the pain response of neonates during a venipuncture.MethodsMedically stable infants greater than or equal to 24 weeks gestation, requiring a venipuncture, were included. Following randomization and double blinding, 1.1 g of tetracaine or placebo was applied to the skin for 30 minutes. Participants received oral sucrose if they met local eligibility criteria. The venipuncture was performed according to a standard protocol. A medium effect size in the pain score (corresponding to about 2 point difference in the PIPP score) was considered clinically significant, leading to a sample size of 142 infants, with 80% statistical power. Local skin reactions and immediate adverse cardiorespiratory events were noted. The primary outcome, PIPP score at 1 minute, was analysed using an independent Student's t-test.ResultsOne hundred and forty two infants were included, 33 +/- 4 weeks gestation, 2100 +/- 900 grams and 6 +/- 3 days of age. There was almost no difference in PIPP scores at 1 minute between groups (mean difference -0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.68 to 1.50; P = . 91). Similarly, there were no differences in PIPP scores during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th minute. Duration of cry did not differ between the groups (median difference, 0; 95% CI, -3 to 0; P = . 84). The majority of infants in both groups received sucrose 24%. Sucrose had a significant effect on the PIPP score, as assessed by an ANOVA model (p = 0.0026). Local skin erythema was observed transiently in 11 infants (7 in the tetracaine and 4 in the placebo group). No serious side effect was observed.ConclusionTetracaine did not significantly decrease procedural pain in infants undergoing a venipuncture, when used in combination with routine sucrose administration.

Intravenous Morphine and Topical Tetracaine for Treatment of Pain in Preterm Neonates Undergoing Central Line Placement

Intravenous Morphine and Topical Tetracaine for Treatment of Pain in Preterm Neonates Undergoing Central Line Placement