Comparison of the efficacies of topical anaesthetics in the reduction of the pain during peripheral intravenous cannulation: A randomised trial

• Published in: Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine 2012-05, Vol.19 (3), p.183-188
• Main Authors: Armagan, E, Kocabas, E, Koksal, O, Simsek, G, Bal, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Care; Efficacy; Emergency medicine; infiltration anesthesia; Intravenous catheterization; Intravenous therapy; Patients; peripheral catheterization
• ISSN: 1024-9079; 2309-5407
• DOI: 10.1177/102490791201900305

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacies of two different topical anesthetic agents and placebo in the reduction of the pain observed during intravenous (IV) cannulation. Methods: Study enrolled a total of 129 healthy male donors and IV cannulation was performed to antecubital region. The donors were assigned into three groups. Prilocaine-lidocaine mixture cream (E), lidocaine spray (X) and Placebo cream (P) were given to patients. After the administration the donors were waited for approximately 45 minutes. The pain experienced by the donors after the insertion of 16 gauge cannula in arms was recorded as "pain experienced at minute 0, 5 and 15" on 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Results: In the first group, there was no significant difference between mean VAS scores recorded after the administration of prilocainelidocaine mixture cream and lidocaine spray before IV cannulation. Mean VAS value was 9.1 mm with prilocaine-lidocaine mixture cream and 9.3 mm with lidocaine spray. In the second group, we detected significant difference between mean VAS scores recorded after the administration of lidocaine spray and placebo cream. Mean VAS value was 9.8 mm with lidocaine spray and 24.3 mm with placebo (p