Objective: To compare the analgesic efficacy of EMLA 5 p. 100 cream versus Xylocaïne 1 p. 100 infiltration for biopsies of the genital mucosa.
Patients and methods: 63 adult patients were randomized. EMLA (0.3-5 g) was applied during 7-12 minutes, and Xylocaïne 1 p. 100 (0.2-5 ml) was infiltrated 0-10 minutes before biopsy. Pain during the anaesthetic procedure and the biopsy was assessed by the patient using a Visual Analogue Scale.
Results: Pain scores were significantly lower with EMLA application than Xylocaïne infiltration, but infiltration resulted in better surgical anaesthesia. The combined pain scores (anaesthetic procedure and biopsy) were lower in the EMLA group, but this difference failed to reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: EMLA is a less painful anaesthetic procedure than infiltration, but has a lower analgesic efficacy. EMLA can be used as an alternative to infiltration for biopsies of the genital mucosa.