A comparative, open-label, randomised study; evaluating efficacy of a hand-held device using a combination of vibration and cold, versus only vibration; in reducing the pain sensation of multiple local anaesthesia injections during hair transplant

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a novel single hand-held device that uses a combination of vibration and cold, for reducing the pain sensation due to local anesthesia injections during hair transplant surgery, and compare it with a device using only vibration for the same purpose Materials and Methods: The Leniwand vibratory cooling device, having an outer body shell made with surgical-grade stainless steel, is used in the study. The device has principal parts, the hand-held vibrator and the stainless-steel cooling cube, which is filled with coolant solution. A split scalp study on 30 male patients aged 27-51 years, who were to undergo 1%lignocaine injections on the scalp for a hair transplant procedure, was done. The study comprised of using a cooled (providing both cold and vibration) vs non cooled (only vibration) Leni wand device on each half of scalp, 30 seconds before injections, and injecting as close to the device as possible, to compare reduction in pain sensation due to injections on both sides while keeping brand of syringe, operator, depth of injections same. Results: In the injected area where Leni wand was used, 17 people experienced substantial pain reduction,7 experienced some pain reduction, five people experienced no difference, and one person claimed pain aggravation. Limitations: All the patients in the study were male; this was a selection bias, as most hair transplant procedures in our practice are performed on males. Conclusion: Leni wand, which uses both cold and vibration to reduce pain, was found to be more effective for this purpose than using only vibration, with some limitations.