EVALUATION OF TRANSDERMAL LIDOCAINE PATCH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST ENDODONTIC PAIN FOLLOWING SINGLE VISIT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT : A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Post-endodontic pain is a frequent post-single-visit root canal treatment issue. Systemic analgesics are prescribed habitually but they can have adverse effects. Transdermal lidocaine patches provide local analgesia that is sustained and has minimal systemic effect.

Purpose:  The study will be aimed at assessing the efficacy of a 5% transdermal lidocaine patch in alleviating the post-endodontic pain following the single-visit root canal therapy.

Materials and Methods:  It was a randomized control trial comprising of 150 patients with a need to receive one-rooted root canal therapy of single-rooted teeth. The study participants were randomly placed in two groups (n=75 each). Group A had usual postoperative care and Group B had the 5% transdermal lidocaine patch administered externally over the part of the tooth area to which the patch was applied. The measurement of postoperative pain was done using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The use of rescue analgesics as well was noted. Independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used in the analysis of data, and p was taken to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Findings: Mean VAS scores at the 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours were significantly lower in the lidocaine patch group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The consumption of rescue analgesics decreased drastically in the intervention group (p < 0.001). No negative effects were stated.

Conclusion: Transdermal 5 percent lidocaine patch is an effective analgesic in the prevention of early post-endodontic pain and it can be used as a safe and non-invasive adjunct to pain management in the management of single-visit root canal treatment.