title: Study of a combined percutaneous local anaesthetic and nitric oxide-generating system for venepuncture.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) may be generated and delivered into the skin via a novel system of sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid. This placebo-controlled, double-blind trial compared the analgesic properties of this system alone and when supplemented with lidocaine. The pain of dorsal hand vein cannulation was assessed in 100 volunteers. The NO-generating system was prepared by mixing two gels, the first KY jelly and sodium nitrite (10% w/v), the second KY jelly and ascorbic acid (10% w/v). NO-generating gel was the placebo treatment, and when combined with lidocaine (final concentration 5%), formed the active treatment. The gels were applied to the dorsum of the hands bilaterally and simultaneously for 10 min. Following cannulation, pain perception was measured with a verbal rating score (VRS) and a visual analogue score (VAS). The active formulation significantly decreased the VRS (p < 0.0001) and also reduced the mean VAS by > 40% compared with placebo (p < 0.001). This investigation suggests a 10-min topical application of anaesthetic combined with the NO-generation system may provide effective analgesia for venous cannulation in adults.
authors.affiliation: The Ernest D. Cooke Clinical Microvascular Unit, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK. a.t.tucker@mds.qmw.ac.uk
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makings
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Benjamin
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D002404:Catheterization; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010710:Phosphates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D012977:Sodium Nitrite / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C042973:K-Y jelly; D010710:Phosphates; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002482:Cellulose; D008012:Lidocaine; D012977:Sodium Nitrite; D005990:Glycerol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid