Efficacy of the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in the treatment of chronic post-thoracotomy neuropathic pain. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sansone, Pasquale; Passavanti, Maria Beatrice; Fiorelli, Alfonso; Aurilio, Caterina; Colella, Umberto; De Nardis, Lorenzo; Donatiello, Valerio; Pota, Vincenzo; Pace, Maria Caterina
• Is Part Of: Pain management. Volume 7:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 196
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: 5% lidocaine medicated plaster -- laser-evoked potentials -- neuropathic pain -- post-thoracotomy pain; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.047205
• DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2016-0060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-1869

Abstract

Aim: To assess the efficacy of the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster (Versatis ®, Grünenthal GmbH, Aachen, Germany) in patients with post-thoracotomy neuropathic pain.Patients & methods: Patients were randomized to receive the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster (n = 33) or non-medicated placebo plasters (n = 30) for 12 h every day for 8 weeks. Laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) were measured, and various questionnaires/scales completed.Results: Numeric Rating Scale pain scores improved significantly (p < 0.01) more in topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster than in placebo recipients. The same was true for N2 and P2 LEP latency and amplitude, and other parameters.Conclusion: The study included neurophysiological findings and confirmed the efficacy of the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in patients with chronic post-thoracotomy neuropathic pain.