Damage to tissue defenses by EMLA cream.

Abstract

EMLA is a new topical agent that safely anesthetizes intact skin. The purpose of this study was to determine if this cream could be safely used for anesthetizing wounds. This investigation evaluated the potential toxicity of EMLA cream in wounds by measuring its effect on host defenses and on the biology of wound repair. In contaminated wounds, EMLA cream elicited an exaggerated inflammatory response that damaged host defenses, inviting the development of infection. As a result of these investigations, we do not recommend the use of EMLA cream in wounds.

• Authors: D M Powell, G T Rodeheaver, P A Foresman, C L Hankins, K T Bellian, C A Zimmer, D G Becker, R F Edlich
• Journal: The Journal of emergency medicine (J Emerg Med) 1991 Jul-Aug Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 205-9 ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1861053 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Drug Combinations
• Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination
• Prilocaine
• Lidocaine

Topics

• Anesthetics, Local (toxicity)
• Animals
• Bacteria (drug effects, growth & development)
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Guinea Pigs
• In Vitro Techniques
• Inflammation (chemically induced, immunology)
• Lidocaine (toxicity)
• Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination
• Prilocaine (toxicity)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)
• Wound Infection (immunology)