Erol O, et al. - In this investigation involving 124 patients, researchers sought to compares the local anesthetic effectiveness of EMLA cream and lidocaine injection used in the radiofrequency reduction of the inferior turbinate. The sample consisted of patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy and who had turbinate reduction under local anesthesia. Fifteen min after a lidocaine injection and 30 min after EMLA cream application, the operations were performed. A lower level of discomfort, choking sensation and difficulty swallowing was found in EMLA cream patients (Group A) than in lidocaine patients (Group B), while there was no major difference in pain between the two groups. EMLA cream is concluded to be an important alternative to lidocaine injection during inferior turbinate reduction processes.