Prospective evaluation of complications of the usage of buffering lidocaine for secondary intention healing

Abstract

Background: Circular excision by secondary-intention healing is useful for small skin defects (diameter <10 mm). But the injection pain as the local anesthesia is administered one of the patients’ biggest concerns. Buffered lidocaine can effectively relieve the injection pain, but it might increase the potential complications. This study examined the effect of buffered lidocaine on wound healing. Methods: Patients undergoing circular excision by secondary-intention healing were divided into 2 groups and were administered buffered or unbuffered lidocaine as the local anesthesia. Comparative parameters included injection pain, postoperative pain, complication rate, scar width, and scar quality at 6 months. Statistical differences between the 2 agents were assessed. Results: The patients in the buffered group experienced 0.9 fewer scaled injection pain units than did the patients in the unbuffered group (p = 0.009). Complication rates and scar appearance did not show any statistical difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Buffered lidocaine is useful to relieve the injection pain during the secondary-intention healing, and it is safe to use if it is applied properly.

Keywords:

• prospective evaluation
• complication
• buffering lidocaine
• secondary-intention healing

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.