Topical anaesthesia
Topical anaesthesia describes the application of an anaesthetic agent directly to the surface of its target tissue. In practice, this is commonly to skin and mucous membranes:
- nose, e.g. 4% lignocaine packs applied to nose
- gums, e.g. amethocaine to buccal mucosa
- eye:
- e.g. conjunctival amethocaine
- repeated applications often required
- oropharynx, larynx, trachea: e.g. lignocaine 4% to vocal cords prior to intubation, gastroscopy
- urethra:
- prevention of pain following cystoscopy and circumcision
- gel applied before catheterization
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