Use of topical as only anesthetic for suturing a traumatic facial laceration.

A case is described where only topical anesthetic was used for suturing facial lacerations. The patient had sustained facial lacerations after a motor vehicle accident. After some initial treatment the patient refused injection anesthesia so only topical anesthetics lidocaine-prilocaine was used for one of the lacerations. Suturing was possible to perform with only topical anesthesia with good patient comfort.