The effect of vapocoolant spray on pain due to intravenous cannulation in children: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Established noninvasive pharmacologic means of alleviating pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous cannulation are time-consuming, and thus impractical for routine use in the emergency department. Vapocoolant sprays provide transient skin anesthesia within seconds of application. We compared the effect of a new vapocoolant spray to placebo on pain due to intravenous cannulation in children.

Methods

In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, which we conducted between June 1 and Sept. 12, 2006, 80 children aged 6-12 years received either vapocoolant spray or placebo before cannulation. Children rated their pain using a 100-mm colour visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes included success rate on first attempt at cannulation and pain ratings by

SUBMITTER: Farion KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3267474 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature