Topical lignocaine for pain relief in acute otitis media: results of a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in children, yet the optimal management of ear pain associated with AOM has not been well studied. We set out to determine the efficacy of topical aqueous 2% lignocaine eardrops compared with a placebo (saline) for pain relief of AOM in children. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital emergency department. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Children aged between 3 and 17 years with earache and AOM without evidence of perforation were eligible. Patients were randomised to receive either 2% lignocaine or saline eardrops (placebo). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain scores were measured before and after e..