Needle-free Jet Injector Versus Conventional Needle Infiltration for Local Anesthesia in Minor Dermatologic Procedures: A Prospective Split-Body Comparative Study

BACKGROUND: Local anesthesia in dermatologic procedures is conventionally administered using hypodermic needles and is associated with pain and anxiety. Needle-free jet injectors provide an alternative drug delivery system that may enhance patient comfort. OBJECTIVE: To compare pain perception during local anesthesia administration using a needle-free jet injector versus conventional hypodermic needle infiltration and to evaluate proceed. This prospective split-body study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital over 1 year. Thirty-five adults with 2 clinically similar symmetrical lesions undergoing minor dermatologic procedures were included. Each patient received local anesthesia using a conventional needle on 1 lesion and a jet injector on the contralateral lesion. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale during anesthesia administration and the procedure. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: The mean pain score during local anesthesia administration was significantly lower with the jet injector (2.20 ± 1.30) compared with conventional needle infiltration (5.48 ± 1.82) (p < .001). Pain during the dermatologic procedure was minimal and comparable between both techniques, with no significant difference observed. CONCLUSION: Needle-free jet injectors provide superior patient comfort during local anesthesia administration with comparable efficacy for minor dermatologic procedures.