[Dolasetron reduces pain on injection of propofol].
OBJECTIVE
Pain on injection is a well known side-effect of propofol. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of dolasetron, a 5-HT 3 -antagonist, in prophylaxis of pain on injection of propofol compared with lidocaine and placebo.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised, double-blinded study including 150 patients randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group A received 12.5 mg dolasetron, group B 40 mg lidocaine and group C saline 0.9 % as placebo. After occluding the venous drainage the test medication was given. The occlusion was released after 1 min and 2.0 mg/kg Propofol was administered over a period of 30 sec. The patients were asked whether they felt any pain during the administration. Pain on injection was judged by using a four-point scale.


RESULTS
Incidence of pain on injection as well as the severity of pain was significantly reduced by lidocaine (62 % pain free) compared with placebo (28 %). Severity, but not incidence of pain on injection was significantly reduced by dolasetron (50 %) compared with placebo. There was no significant difference between dolasetron and lidocaine.


CONCLUSIONS
Dolasetron and lidocaine were effective in preventing pain of injection secondary to propofol.
Piper
S N
SN
Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Operative Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany. swen.n.piper@t-online.de
Röhm
K D
KD
Papsdorf
M
M
Maleck
W H
WH
Mattinger
P
P
Boldt
J
J