title: Comparison of lignocaine and water-based lubricating gels for female urethral catheterization: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is standard practice to use lignocaine gel during male urethral catheterization. However, it is commonly believed that topical anaesthetic confers no benefit during female catheterization hence lubricating gel alone is more commonly used. The present study aimed to determine whether lignocaine gel decreased pain compared with water-based lubricating gel for female urethral catheterization in the ED.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized double-blinded study was carried out at two Sydney hospitals--an urban district inner western hospital and a south-western major trauma centre. A convenience sample of 62 alert, cooperative adult female ED patients provided written informed consent. The indications for, and technique of catheterization, were at the discretion of the clinical staff. Pre- and immediate post-procedure pain was scored by the patient on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The primary outcome was the difference in VAS scores (post- minus pre-procedure) in millimetres. Values for each group were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges, statistical significance determined using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups were well matched for age, indication for catheterization, pre-procedural pain score, catheter size and the number of catheterization attempts. Patients receiving lignocaine gel had a significantly lower median procedural pain score than patients receiving lubricating gel (6 mm vs 33 mm, P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lignocaine gel substantially reduces the procedural pain of female urethral catheterization by comparison with use of a water-based lubricating gel.
authors.affiliation: Canterbury Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. vznepim@yahoo.com.au
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paoloni
authors.forename: Mary-Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Tasha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demel
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008153:Lubrication; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine