Topical alkane vapocoolant spray versus subcutaneous lignocaine injection for reducing the pain of intravenous cannulation: a randomised, controlled, clinical trial

A randomised clinical trial to compare the efficacy of pressurised vapocoolant spray and subcutaneous lignocaine injection in decreasing the pain of intravenous cannulation in the emergency department

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12608000414314

Enrollment

220

Registered

2008-08-22

Start date

2008-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Our previous research indicates vapocoolant is effective in significantly decreasing the pain of intravenous cannulation. This new study will compare vapocoolant with subcutaneous lignocaine, another common means of reducing the pain of cannulation.

Interventions

Two second spray of pressurised vapocoolant 'Cold Spray' (butane, propane and pentane blend), from 12 cm, to the cannulation site. The alkane blend may vary with the batch and specific proportions of the three alkanes are not available.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Prevention

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 100 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Emergency department patients, aged 18 years or more, requiring intravenous cannulation

Exclusion criteria

Refusal to provide consent Inability to provide informed consent (Non-English speaking, altered mental state, significant illness, urgent need for IV cannulation) Moderate to severe discomfort or pain Diseases of the skin associated with cold intolerance (eg: Raynaud’s) Known allergy to spray contents or lignocaine Peripheral neuropathy Parenteral analgesia in the previous 4 hours Use of other local anaesthetics

Outcome results