Cheville, A.L., Sloan, J.A., Northfelt, D.W., Jillella, A.P., Wong, G.Y., Bearden III, J.D., . . . Loprinzi, C.L. (2009). Use of a lidocaine patch in the management of postsurgical neuropathic pain in patients with cancer: A phase III double-blind crossover study (N01CB). Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 17(4), 451–460.
To investigate the efficacy of one or more lidocaine patches in reducing incisional pain
In the initial four-week treatment phase, patients received either lidocaine patches or placebo to apply to postsurgical incisional sites. After four weeks, the lidocaine group received placebo and vice versa. Pain was rated at baseline and at four and eight weeks.
Double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover trial
Pain interference scores were significantly lower in the group that received lidocaine patch first. Significant differences in postsurgical pain intensity, with the lidocaine patch applied to incisional areas, were lacking overall.
Further research is needed to determine whether lidocaine patches augment the analgesic regimen for incisional pain.