Absorption of lignocaine through split-skin donor sites.

Seventeen patients undergoing split-skin grafting each received 3 mg/kg of a sterile 1% lignocaine gel applied to an area of the donor site equal to 3 sq cm/kg. Serial venous blood samples were taken for one hour following application and analysed for serum lignocaine concentration by high pressure liquid chromatography. The concentrations in all the patients were well below those associated with systemic toxicity. Clinical assessment included haemodynamic monitoring during the procedure, and postoperative evaluation of possible central nervous effects and of the degree of donor site analgesia obtained. No untoward effects were noted and the degree of analgesia, although difficult to assess, appeared good.