Lidocaine 5% medicated plaster for localized neuropathic pain in thoracic surgical patients.

CONTEXT: Neuropathic pain is a common and distressing symptom in thoracic surgical patients. When it consistently presents with measurable sensory changes in a circumscribed area, neuropathic pain can be diagnosed as localized neuropathic pain (LNP).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the efficacy of lidocaine 5% medicated plaster (Lido5%P) in the treatment of LNP in thoracic surgical patients.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of sixteen cancer and noncancer thoracic patients treated with Lido5%P for LNP. Patients had been assessed before and during treatment with standardized forms and questionnaires for pain intensity, sleep quality, drug dosages and adverse events.

RESULTS: Treatment with Lido5%P yielded a significant and lasting improvement in pain symptomatology. In oncological patients as an add-on therapy, Lido5%P improved pain intensity and sleep quality, and delayed opioid dose escalation. In non-oncological patients as monotherapy or in association with antineuropathic drugs, Lido5%P attenuated LNP. No local or systemic adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS: Lido5%P was effective in relieving thoracic LNP, and was well tolerated.