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Title: Topical Spray Reduces Pain in Children Undergoing Intravenous Procedures
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/224AC6.htm
Doctor's Guide
June 30, 2008

OTTAWA, Ontario -- June 30, 2008 -- A topical spray reduces pain in children undergoing intravenous procedures, such as injections and tube insertions, according to findings from a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

The spray is non-toxic, less expensive than alternatives, works immediately, and does not require a needle.

"The vapocoolant spray that we used provided quick and effective reduction of pain due to intravenous cannulation without delaying the procedure," said William Splinter, MD, Department of Anaesthesia, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ontario, Canada. "This feature is especially important when time is limited, such as in a busy office practice or emergency department, where topical methods of pain relief have not traditionally been available."

The study examined 80 children aged 6 to 12 years who required urgent intravenous procedures within 30 to 45 minutes at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Outcome measurement of the vapocoolant spray was based on children's self-reported pain, the success rate on first attempt, and assessments by parents and child-life specialists, and ease of procedure's insertion according to nurses.

The vapocoolant spray reduced pain in children by 34%. Results are significant as "prior studies of vapocoolant sprays did not show a reduction in pain due to intravenous cannulation in children."

Furthermore, successful insertion of a needle or tube was more frequent after using the vapocoolant spray. "Effective pain relief combined with improved success on first cannulation attempt results in fewer repeat attempts, decreased procedure times, and improved satisfaction among children, parents, and healthcare providers."

In a related commentary, Kanwaljeet S. Anand, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, states that the results of 2 randomised controlled trials published in CMAJ will "likely alter clinical practice and stimulate further research into the use of currently available nonpharmacologic analgesic in children."


SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association Journal

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