Anesthesia for Skin Cancer

This trial tests whether adding regional nerve blocks (a type of anesthesia) can reduce pain and anxiety in individuals undergoing Mohs surgery for skin cancer on the face or scalp. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a placebo nerve block or a nerve block with lidocaine (a local anesthetic), in addition to the usual anesthesia for complete numbness. It is suitable for adults scheduled for Mohs surgery with skin cancer on the face or scalp, particularly if the cancer is large or located on sensitive areas like the lip, nose, or eyelid. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques during surgery.

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you use sedatives or anxiety medications before the procedure, you may not be eligible to participate.

Research has shown that lidocaine is generally very safe for use in skin cancer surgeries. Studies confirm that the amounts used in procedures like Mohs surgery remain well within safe limits. Lidocaine toxicity is extremely rare, almost non-existent. When lidocaine numbs the skin during surgery, patients usually tolerate it well, with very few serious side effects reported.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new technique for managing pain in skin cancer surgeries. Unlike the standard approach, which often involves general anesthesia or simple local anesthesia, this trial looks at using a regional nerve block with lidocaine to target pain more precisely. This method could potentially reduce the need for larger doses of anesthetic and improve patient comfort and recovery times. By comparing this to a placebo nerve block, researchers hope to determine if this technique provides superior pain management and overall outcomes for patients undergoing skin cancer surgery.

Research has shown that using lidocaine to numb specific areas can reduce pain and anxiety during surgeries. In this trial, participants will receive either a regional nerve block with lidocaine or a placebo nerve block. For cancer patients, lidocaine patches have effectively managed short-term pain. Studies indicate that applying lidocaine around a tumor before surgery can improve survival rates in breast cancer patients. Additionally, lidocaine has demonstrated potential benefits in treating some types of skin cancer. These findings suggest that lidocaine could reduce discomfort during Mohs surgery for skin cancer on the face and scalp.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰