Special Section on Anesthesia

Iontophoresis as a Tool for Anesthesia in Dermatologic Surgery

An Overview

GREENBAUM, STEVEN S. MD

Skin & Laser Surgery Center of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Steven S. Greenbaum, MD, Skin & Laser Surgery Center of Pennsylvania, 1528 Walnut St., Suite 1101, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

S.S. Greenbaum, MD has indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Dermatologic Surgery 27(12):p 1027-1030, December 2001.

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Abstract

One of the biggest challenges of performing dermatologic surgery procedures is to minimize pain. Not only will the experience of each patient be enhanced by increased comfort, but the medical and aesthetic results achieved by the physician will be facilitated as well. Iontophoresis is the use of electrical impulses to drive molecules into the skin. Anesthetic agents are one type of medicine that can be delivered in such a way. There is a tremendous potential for the applications of iontophoresis to be expanded. As our understanding of the technique increases we will be able to modify the skin's surface as well as the individual agents we wish to transport.