Local anaesthetics modifying the dermal response of irradiation. An experimental study.

In a series of experiments in rabbits the dermal reaction, provoked by a single dose or intermittent doses of irradiation, was prevented or modified by topical or parenteral administration of local anaesthetics, compared to irradiated control animals. The topical application of a eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine cream, EMLA 5%, was found to be more effective than intravenously injected lidocaine (Xylocain 1%).