Indian Journal of Clinical Anaesthesia
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 1

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of EMLA cream (eutectic mixture of local anesthetic) and a placebo (normal saline) in producing dermal analgesia for venous cannulation

  • Author:
  • T.R. Shrinivas1, Ravi Kumar2,
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 27 to 31

1Assistant professor, Deparment of Anaesthesia, KIMS, Koppal, Karnataka-583231

2Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthsiology, Malabar Medical College, Modakkallur, Kozhikode-673315, Kerala

*Corresponding Author: E-mail: rknnese@gmail.com

Online published on 13 May, 2015.

Abstract

Venous cannulation is the most commonly performed invasive procedure in hospital patients. It is painful and associated with a high incidence of vasovagal reactions and pressor responses in patients.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of eutectic mixture of local anesthetic cream in producing dermal analgesia for venous cannulation.

200 patients were selected randomly of either sex, and divided into two groups. In group-I EMLA cream was applied and in group-II normal saline (placebo) was applied. Pain for intravenous cannulation was assessed by VAS scale.

The mean pain score for venous cannulation in patients with EMLA cream was very less when compared to the placebo group.

EMLA cream is effective in producing dermal analgesia in response to venous cannulation.

Keywords

Dermal analgesia, EMLA cream, Venous cannulation