Topical Anaesthesia to Reduce Pain Associated with Carpal Tunnel Surgery

This randomized, double-blinded study assessed the effectiveness of a topical anaesthetic, eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA), in reducing pain associated with carpal tunnel release performed under local anaesthetic. Fifty-six patients undergoing carpal tunnel release under local anaesthetic were randomized into either EMLA ( n=29) or placebo ( n=27) groups. Visual analogue pain scores were obtained for needle insertion, injection of anaesthetic and surgery itself. Pain scores were significantly less for needle insertion ( P=0.001) and injection of anaesthetic ( P=0.0005). Scores related to surgery were also lower in the EMLA group, but this did not reach statistical significance.