Intravenous Lignocaine for Chronic Pain
Alex Cahana, Victor Shvelzon, Orit Dolberg, Florella Magora, Yoram Shir
Pain Treatment Services, Depts. of Anesthesiology of Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and of Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem
Intravenous injection of lignocaine relieves pain in animals with experimentally induced pain, and in man, mainly those with neuropathic pain. 106 patients were treated with intravenous lignocaine during a period of 18 months (212 treatment sessions). Blood pressure, heart rate and pain scores were continuously monitored after an intravenous bolus of lignocaine, 1 mg/kg, followed by continuous infusion of lignocaine, 5 mg/kg during 1 hour. There was significant pain relief after each session in most patients, lasting from a few hours to 4 weeks. There were no significant side effects. We present 2 of our patients. Due to its simplicity, efficacy and safety, intravenous lignocaine injection is recommended for those with neuropathic pain unrelieved by other therapeutic modalities.