The effective time and concentration of nitrous oxide to reduce venipuncture pain in children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the time of administration and concentration of inhaled nitrous oxide (N(2)O) needed to reduce the pain associated with intravenous (i.v.) cannulation in children.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Operating room of a children's hospital.


METHODS
73 ASA physical status I and II children, aged 6-15 years, scheduled for elective day or non-day surgery.


METHODS
Children were randomly allocated to one of 4 groups prior to i.v. insertion of a 24-gauge catheter in the dorsum of the hand: Group 1 (n = 18): 50% N(2)O in O(2) for three minutes; Group 2 (n = 18): 50% N(2)O in O(2) for 5 minutes; Group 3 (n = 18): 70% N(2)O in O(2) for three minutes; or Group 4 (n = 19): 70% N(2)O in O(2) for 5 minutes.


METHODS
Just after the venous cannulation, degree of pain was assessed by examining the faces of the patient by the parent and an operating room nurse.


RESULTS
Pain scores obtained from parents of children in Groups 3 and 4 were significantly lower than from those in Groups 1 and 2. Pain scores from the nurse in Group 3 was significantly lower than those in Group 1. However, there was no significant difference in pain score between Group 3 and Group 4. Frequency of side effects was similar among the 4 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Seventy percent N(2)O in O(2) given for three minutes was effective for reducing venipuncture pain in children.
Furuya
Atsushi
A
Department of Anesthesiology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamanashi 400-8506, Japan. vzz06573@nifty.com
Ito
Masaki
M
Fukao
Tasuku
T
Suwa
Mayumi
M
Nishi
Masatoshi
M
Horimoto
Yoh
Y
Sato
Hiroaki
H
Okuyama
Katsumi
K
Ishiyama
Tadahiko
T
Matsukawa
Takashi
T
D000293:Adolescent; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009609:Nitrous Oxide