Safe and effective method for application of tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine to oral lacerations.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a technique for application of tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine (TAC) for minor oral lacerations.

METHODS:

Our study group comprised 22 consecutive children older than 5 years of age who presented to an urban pediatric emergency department with a minor oral laceration 2 cm or less in length requiring single-layer closure. The children were prospectively treated with a two-drop dose of TAC containing .5 mg tetracaine and 12 mg cocaine on a cotton-tipped applicator placed in contact with the wound for up to 5 minutes.

RESULTS:

Lacerations involved the labial mucosa (n = 12), tongue (n = 6), and buccal mucosa (n = 4); 41 (91%) of 45 sutures were placed without pain (95% confidence interval, 0% to 8.2%). No patient exhibited an adverse reaction related to TAC.

CONCLUSION:

This TAC application technique was safe and highly effective in providing anesthesia for minor oral lacerations.

• Authors: W A Bonadio
• Journal: Annals of emergency medicine (Ann Emerg Med) Vol. 28 Issue 4 Pg. 396-8 (Oct 1996) ISSN: 0196-0644 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8839523 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Vasoconstrictor Agents
• Tetracaine
• Cocaine
• Epinephrine

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Cocaine (administration & dosage)
• Confidence Intervals
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Epinephrine (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Mouth Mucosa (injuries, surgery)
• Prospective Studies
• Tetracaine (administration & dosage)
• Tongue (injuries, surgery)
• Vasoconstrictor Agents (administration & dosage)
• Wounds, Penetrating (surgery)