A randomized, controlled trial of the reciprocating procedure device for local anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the new reciprocating procedure device (RPD) is superior to the conventional syringe for the administration of local anesthesia. There were 209 local lidocaine anesthesia procedures randomized between the RDP and the conventional syringe. Outcome measures included administration time, anesthesia pain, procedure pain, and operator satisfaction. The RPD significantly reduced anesthesia administration time by 49% (RPD: 0.68 +/- 0.59 min, Syringe: 1.32 +/- 1.01 min, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] for % reduction: 36%-60%), reduced anesthesia pain by 27% (RPD visual analog pain scale score: 4.05 +/- 2.64; Syringe: 5.55 +/- 3.00; p < 0.001, 95% CI 14%-38%), reduced significant procedure pain by 74% (p < 0.001, 95% CI 60%-87%), and improved physician satisfaction by 63% (p < 0.001, 95% CI 53%-74%). The RPD markedly reduces the pain associated with lidocaine anesthesia administration, reduces administration time, and maintains the effectiveness of local anesthesia. The RPD is superior to and significantly more effective than the conventional syringe for the administration of local lidocaine anesthesia.