Comparison of Two Application Techniques for LET Gel

Comparison of 2 Application Techniques for LET (Lidocaine 4%; Epinephrine 0.1%; Tetracaine 0.5%) Gel Used Prior to Simple Laceration Repair in Children

Comparison of anesthetic efficacy of Lidocaine (4%), Epinephrine (0.1%), and Tetracaine (0.5%) topical gel (LET) applied three times for 10 minutes each time vs. once for 30 minutes prior to suturing simple lacerations in children aged 7-17 years.

Randomized single-blinded clinical trial with convenience sampling of the anesthetic efficacy of a single 30-minute application vs three 10-minute applications of Lidocaine (4%), Epinephrine (0.1%), and Tetracaine (0.5%) topical gel (LET) prior to suturing simple lacerations in children aged 7-17 years seen in the Emergency Department.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Simple <= 3cm lacerations requiring suturing (as decided by clinician care providers)
• Plan to suture with simple interrupted sutures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lacerations involving the hands, feet, genitals, tongue, mucus membranes, nose, ears, or occurring over joints
• Patients whose primary language was neither English nor Spanish
• Developmentally delayed or disabled patient such that they were unable to give a pain score
• Patients requiring procedural sedation or anxiolysis with oral or intranasal midazolam