Over 40 published and unpublished articles on double-blind controlled clinical trials with the local application of benzydamine as an antiinflammatory drug were reviewed with special reference to the randomization of patients, the description of the disease entity, the clinical trial and its statistical analysis. It was concluded that benzydamine applied locally consistently produced relief of pain with a demonstratable antiinflammatory effect and caused infrequent side-effects. Hence it was considered a safe and effective method of producing pain relief by local application.