Simple switch could make prostate biopsies less painful

This study tested whether using a buffered (less acidic) form of the numbing medicine lidocaine reduces the pain and burning sensation patients often feel when it is injected before a prostate biopsy. 350 men scheduled for a prostate biopsy were randomly assigned to receive either the standard lidocaine or the buffered version. Researchers measured their pain during the injection and the biopsy itself to see if the buffered medicine provided better comfort.