J Dent Anesth Pain Med.  2018 Dec;18(6):361-365. 10.17245/jdapm.2018.18.6.361.

Effect of 8% lidocaine spray on the sensory and pain thresholds of the skin of the face and hands evaluated by quantitative sensory testing

• Okayasu I
• Komiyama O
• Ayuse T
• De Laat A

• KMID: 2430213
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17245/jdapm.2018.18.6.361

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, we examined the effects of 2% lidocaine gel on the tactile sensory and pain thresholds of the face, tongue and hands of symptom-free individuals using quantitative sensory testing (QST); its effect was less on the skin of the face and hands than on the tongue. Consequently, instead of 2% lidocaine gel, we examined the effect of 8% lidocaine spray on the tactile sensory and pain thresholds of the skin of the face and hands of healthy volunteers.
METHODS
Using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, QST of the skin of the cheek and palm (thenar skin) was performed in 20 healthy volunteers. In each participant, two topical sprays were applied. On one side, 0.2 mL of 8% lidocaine pump spray was applied, and on the other side, 0.2 mL of saline pump spray was applied as control. In each participant, QST was performed before and 15 min after each application. Pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS).
RESULTS
Both the tactile detection threshold and filament-prick pain detection threshold of the cheek and thenar skin increased significantly after lidocaine application. A significant difference between the effect of lidocaine and saline applications was found on the filament-prick pain detection threshold only. NRS of the cheek skin and thenar skin decreased after application of lidocaine, and not after application of saline.
CONCLUSION
The significant effect of applying an 8% lidocaine spray on the sensory and pain thresholds of the skin of the face and hands can be objectively scored using QST.

Keyword

Lidocaine; Neuropathic Pain; Orofacial Pain; Quantitative Sensory Testing

MeSH Terms

Cheek
Facial Pain
Hand*
Healthy Volunteers
Lidocaine*
Neuralgia
Pain Threshold*
Skin*
Tongue
Lidocaine

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