Adjunctive use of hyaluronidase in local anaesthesia.

The effects on anaesthesia of adding hyaluronidase to subcutaneous lignocaine were evaluated in a volunteer's forearm. Three beneficial effects were demonstrated: Onset of anaesthetic was immediate. Loss of surface contour was minimal due to rapid spread of infiltrate. The area of anaesthesia was more than doubled compared to the control without hyaluronidase. The indications for the use of hyaluronidase in plastic surgery and its effectiveness as an adjunct to nerve blocks are discussed.