Dermabrasion Using Surface Anesthesia for Post-Cleft Lip Surgery Scars

Dermabrasion is a minimally invasive technique effective for improving postoperative scarring in cleft lip patients. While commonly performed under local anesthesia, needle-related pain often causes discomfort, particularly in children. To address this, we evaluated the efficacy of dermabrasion under surface anesthesia using lidocaine tape. A total of 92 patients underwent dermabrasion following the application of lidocaine tape for varying durations. Results showed that painless treatment was achieved in 25% of patients with 30-59 minutes of application, 61% with 60-89 minutes, and 67% with over 90 minutes. No patient required injectable anesthesia, and all cases showed favorable cosmetic outcomes without complications. Our findings suggest that applying lidocaine tape for at least 60 minutes significantly improves patient comfort and eliminates the need for injectable anesthesia. This approach is effective and less invasive for scar management after cleft lip surgery.