Comparison of ethyl chloride spray with topical anaesthetic in children experiencing venepuncture.
OBJECTIVE
Initial validation of ethyl chloride spray in minimising pain for children experiencing venepuncture in comparison to Ametop cream.


METHODS
A randomised non-inferiority cross-over trial comparing ethyl chloride with Ametop in 77 children aged five to 13 years undergoing measurement of glomerular filtration rate. Additional data were gathered on the child's preferred choice for the third venepuncture.


RESULTS
Ethyl chloride spray is of equal preference to Ametop in children experiencing venepuncture, with lower self-reported pain score. It should be considered as an added alternative option to topical anaesthetic but further work is needed to clarify application technique.
Davies
Elin Haf
EH
Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London.
Molloy
Aevril
A
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D000698:Analgesia; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005018:Ethyl Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000336:Aerosols; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013748:Tetracaine; D005018:Ethyl Chloride