Comparing the Efficacy of Diluted Lidocaine Solution and Placebo in Reducing Pain Perception During Burn Wound Dressing Change

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 0.08% diluted lidocaine solution during and after wound dressing procedures for patients with burn injuries. Fifty burn patients aged 18-60 years, with burns ranging from 30% to 60%, were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received dressings diluted with 0.08% lidocaine solution, while the control group received a placebo. Vital signs were continuously monitored before, during, and after the application of new dressings. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) checklist before and after the dressing change in both groups. The study included 25 participants in the intervention group with a mean age of 40.2 ± 6.5 and 25 participants in the control group with a mean age of 39.1 ± 6.8. The groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics, including gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, percentage and degree of burns, as well as average morphine intake. No significant differences were observed in vital signs or pain scores before and after dressing changes between the 2 groups. However, the intervention group reported significantly lower pain scores during the dressing change compared to the control group (P < .001). Diluted lidocaine solution during wound dressing procedures can reduce pain in burn patients. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of this technique. This study suggests that lidocaine can be a useful tool in the management of pain during dressing changes for burn patients.