A STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LIDOCAINE PATCH VERSUS EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LOCAL ANAESTHETICS (EMLA) CREAM IN PREVENTING PAIN DURING EPIDURAL NEEDLE INSERTION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Lidocaine patch versus EMLA cream in preventing pain during epidural needle insertion. Epidural needle insertion using a 16G Tuohy needle is often associated with discomfort and pain. Topical anaesthetic agents may help reduce this pain and improve patient comfort.

This is a single blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital Puducherry. Eighty patients aged 18 to 65 years belonging to ASA I II and III undergoing elective lower abdominal pelvic or lower limb surgeries requiring epidural anaesthesia will be included. Participants will be randomized using block randomization into two groups of forty each.

Group A will receive transdermal Lidocaine patch approximately ten hours before surgery. Group B will receive EMLA cream applied thirty minutes before surgery with occlusive dressing. The primary outcome will be analgesic efficacy assessed using ten point Visual Analogue Scale immediately after epidural needle insertion. The secondary outcome will be subjective pain assessment using Wong Baker Scale at the time of needle insertion.

The results of this study will help determine whether Lidocaine patch can be used as an effective alternative to EMLA cream in reducing pain during epidural needle insertion.