PAIN RELIEF DURING EPIDURAL NEEDLE PLACEMENT - A COMPARATIVE STUDY USING EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LOCAL ANAESTHETIC AND LOCAL INFLITRATION V/S LOCAL INFILTRATION ALONE

Dr.Pranali Patil; Dr. Archana Mhatre

Volume : VIII, Issue : XII, December - 2019

PAIN RELIEF DURING EPIDURAL NEEDLE PLACEMENT - A COMPARATIVE STUDY USING EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LOCAL ANAESTHETIC AND LOCAL INFLITRATION V/S LOCAL INFILTRATION ALONE

Dr. Pranali Patil, Dr. Archana Mhatre

Abstract :

Background Pain is unpleasant sensory and emotional experience . Epidural anaesthesia and /or analgesia techniques are commonly used and to facilitate insertion of epidural catheter local anaesthetic infiltration is used . but many times this pr oves insufficient for pain relief. Hence this study was undertaken to study more effective way of providing pain relief for epidural insertion using EMLA cream with 2% lignocaine and 2% lignocaine alone. Material and Methods A randomized, prospective and observer blinded study was conducted to compare the efficacy of topical 5% lignocaine – prilocaine cream (EMLA) followed by 2% lignocaine infiltration against 2% lignocaine infiltration alone for epidural needle in adults. • Group EL: Patients receiving 2.5gms. of 5% EMLA (Eutetic mixture of local anaesthetics) along with 2cc lignocaine infiltration over the site of epidural needle placement. (50 patients in each group) • Group L: Patients receiving 2cc of 2% lignocaine infiltration only. (50 patients in each group) Baseline parameters, relevant intra-op details, painrelief using VAS and VRS score was compared in both groups CONCLUSION From our study we conclude that use of EMLA 1 hour before the placement of epidural needle positively reduces the pain and hence should be used whenever possible so that maximum patients get the benefit of analgesia. EMLA cream did not produce any adverse effect in any of the patients except for mild blanching in few patients.