title: A randomized controlled study to compare the 2% lignocaine and aqueous lubricating gels for female urethral catheterization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 2% lignocaine gel has long been used for male urethral catheterization, but aqueous gel as lubricant has been used for females. However, studies report that females experience pain during urethral catheterization. We compared the effectiveness of 2% lignocaine gel (intervention) and aqueous gel (control) for female urethral catheterization in reducing procedural pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 in an acute care hospital in Singapore. In total, 52 adult female inpatients (26 interventions vs. 26 controls) requiring urethral catheterization were included in the study. The intervention included patients receiving 2% lignocaine gel as a lubricant for urethral catheterization. Patients' pre- and postprocedural visual analog scale (VAS) were collected prospectively and nonparametric tests were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction from the preprocedure pain score (Median = 22.0 mm) to the postprocedural pain score (Median = 6.6 mm) in the 2% lignocaine group (Z = -3.8, P < 0.001), but not in the aqueous gel group (pre vs. post: 16.5 mm vs. 18.2 mm; Z = -0.36, P = 0.716). Subjects using 2% lignocaine gel had significantly more reduction in the postprocedural pain score than the aqueous gel group (U = 209.5, P = 0.019).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2% lignocaine gel significantly reduces the procedural pain of female urethral catheterization as compared with aqueous gel. This study provides evidence for the hospital to change the current practice in the hope of reducing procedural pain for female patients during urethral catheterization.
authors.affiliation: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Moon Fai
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hong Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Li Yuen Geraldine
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Li Ling Emily
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Lay Hoon Linda
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Wai May
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Mui Choo Yvonne Gwendoline
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Beverley Joan
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054327:Lubricants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012846:Singapore; D014546:Urinary Catheterization
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D054327:Lubricants; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: 2% lignocaine gel; female urethral catheterization; pain; randomized controlled trial