Finer Needles Reduce Pain Associated With Injection of Local Anesthetic Using a Minimal Insertion Injection Technique

Blake R. Zelickson, Leonard Harry Goldberg, Marc K. Rubenzik, Wesley J. Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The injection of local anesthetic into the skin is often the only memorable event described by the patient after dermatologic procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the pain felt during injection of local anesthetic using a minimal needle insertion technique with a 30- or 33-gauge needle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred eighteen patients with tumors on the head and neck were injected with lidocaine using a previously described technique with either a 30- or 33-gauge needle. After injection, patients were surveyed using the visual assessment scale for pain.

RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of patients felt no pain with injection on the face using a 33-gauge needle compared with 64% with a 30 gauge, whereas 94% of patients felt no pain on the scalp with a 33-gauge needle compared with 54% with a 30 gauge. Visual analog scale scores were also significantly decreased on the face and scalp using the smaller needle. There was no difference in pain between the 2 needles with injection on the neck.

CONCLUSION: This study further validates the use of this technique for the injection of lidocaine and the preference of a 33 gauge over a 30-gauge needle for the initial injection on the face and scalp.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)204-208
Number of pages5
JournalDermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]
Volume44
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

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