Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray as topical anaesthetic for venepuncture pain

Authors

  • A van Straten Stellenbosch University
  • A A Murray Stellenbosch University
  • A I Levin Stellenbosch University

Keywords:

local anaesthesia, venepuncture pain, Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray

Abstract

Background:

Cutaneous analgesia for venepuncture pain can be achieved using various topically applied local anaesthetic formulations. Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray containing lignocaine hydrochloride and 95% ethanol is exclusively recommended for mucosal anaesthesia. However, this formulation is readily able to penetrate skin. This study investigated whether topical pretreatment with Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray could facilitate analgesia for venepuncture.

Methods: A single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted. One hundred patients were enrolled. The control and intervention groups had 0.5 ml saline and 0.5 ml Xylocaine® applied for 20 min to preselected venepuncture sites. Pain associated with an 18-gauge cannula venepuncture was rated on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. A two-point or 30% reduction in pain would be deemed clinically significant.

Results: Pain scores were lower (p = 0.001) in the Xylocaine® (median 2; 95% CI 2–3) than the saline (median 4; 95% CI 3–5) group. Moderate-to-severe pain occurred in fewer Xylocaine® (18%) than saline (42%) treated patients (relative risk 0.43, CI 0.22 to 0.48; NNT = 5).

Conclusion: Topical Xylocaine® 10% Pump Spray pre-treatment provided a time-effective method of reducing venepuncture-associated pain.

(Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojaa) South Afr J Anaesth Analg 2018; DOI: 10.1080/22201181.2018.1450200

Author Biographies

A van Straten, Stellenbosch University

Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care,University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town

A A Murray, Stellenbosch University

Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town

A I Levin, Stellenbosch University

Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town

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Published

2018-06-24

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Research Articles

License

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