title: Comparison of percutaneous anaesthesia for venous cannulation after topical application of either amethocaine or EMLA cream.
abstract: We have compared, in a double-blind study, the efficacy of topical amethocaine cream 1 g (5% w/w) in alleviating the pain of venous cannulation with that of 5% EMLA cream 2.5 g. One hundred and twenty unpremedicated female patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery, were allocated randomly to one of four groups: 5% EMLA cream 2.5 g for 30 min: 5% EMLA cream 2.5 g for 60 min; amethocaine cream 1 g (5% w/w) for 30 min; amethocaine cream 1 g (5% w/w) for 60 min. After removal of the cream, venous cannulation was performed with an 18-gauge cannula. Patients assessed the pain experienced using a 100-mm visual analogue score and four-point rank score. In addition, a blinded observer assessed the patient's response to venous cannulation using a four-point rank score. Good analgesia was obtained in all groups and there was no statistically significant difference in pain scores between the groups.
authors.affiliation: North Staffordshire Hospital Centre, City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molodecka
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stenhouse
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011318:Prilocaine; D013748:Tetracaine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine