The Influence of Lidocaine Volume on Discomfort During Administration of Local Anesthetic

The Influence of Lidocaine Volume on Discomfort During Administration of Local Anesthetic

The aim of the study is to find a simple method for pain reduction that can be used in clinical practice when administering digital nerve block with a single subcutaneous injection. It will be investigated whether a smaller volume of lidocaine can decrease pain during injection.

Healthy volunteers will receive a single subcutaneous injection digital nerve block at the base of each ring finger. 2ml 1% lidocaine in one of the fingers, and 1 ml 2% lidocaine in the other. After each injection, the subject will be asked to evaluate the pain on a visual analog scale (0-100 mm). Additionally the sensibility will be tested with a Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, to evaluate if the different methods achieve desired anesthetic effect.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 - 65

Exclusion Criteria:

• regular use of analgesics
• known hypersensitivity of local anaesthetic
• renal-, heart- or liver disease
• known peripheral neuropathy or diabetes mellitus
• local infection on injection site
• circulation disorders in upper extremities (e.g. Raynaud´s phenomenon)