Contralateral treatment with xylocaine reduces nociceptive behaviour in mononeuropathic rats

The aim of the present study was to establish whether contralateral treatment with local anaesthetics reduces nociceptive behaviour in mononeuropathic rats. Contralateral treatment with xylocaine on day 6 and 11 following sciatic nerve ligation increased withdrawal latencies to thermal but not to mechanical stimulation for 3-4 days. Rats who received contralateral treatment with xylocaine on day 6 and 11 showed a reduced autotomy score during the following 6 weeks. To compare ipsilateral and contralateral effects another set of experiments was performed. Rats treated contralaterally on day 11 had a significantly lower autotomy score at week 4 and 6. Our results demonstrate that contralateral treatment with xylocaine reduces nociceptive behaviour in mononeuropathic rats for days or weeks.