Sphenoidal electrode insertion using topical anesthesia

Sphenoidal electrodes are frequently used in epilepsy centers, but insertion can be painful. We used a topical anesthetic cream on patients (2.5% lidocaine, 2.5% prilocaine) before inserting electrodes and had patients rate their discomfort on an analogue pain scale. As a comparison, the same patients rated the pain caused by inserting a heparin lock. There was no significant difference between the pain of sphenoidal electrode insertion with use of topical anesthesia and that of heparin lock insertion. We suggest that when a topical anesthetic is used, the discomfort of inserting sphenoidal electrodes is minimal and comparable to that of inserting a heparin lock.