Preventive effect of a vapocoolant spray on propofol-induced pain: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study

Young Eun Moon, Michael Y. Lee, Dong Hyun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Propofol causes injection pain. Although lidocaine pre-treatment via venous occlusion is known to be the most effective way, it still has some inconvenience. We implemented this study to compare the effect of a vapocoolant spray with lidocaine pre-treatment. Methods: Participants (n = 90) were randomized to one of three groups. Group V: after placebo injection and tourniquet, the vapocoolant spray was applied; group L: after lidocaine injection and tourniquet, the placebo spray was applied; group C: after placebo injection and tourniquet, the placebo spray was applied. The intensity of propofol-induced pain, the incidence of metallic taste, and the satisfaction were assessed. Results: Propofol-induced pain was significantly lower in groups V and L than in group C [0.5 (0–2.25), 0.5 (0–1), and 5 (1–7), median (interquartile range), respectively, p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in pain intensity between groups V and L. Group L showed a significantly higher incidence of metallic taste than groups V and C (23, 0, and 0%, respectively; p = 0.001). Groups V and L showed higher satisfaction scores than group C [5 (4–5), 4 (3.75–5), and 2 (2–3), respectively; p < 0.001], and there was a significant difference between groups V and L (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Vapocoolant spray showed a similar effect to lidocaine in analgesia and lowered the incidence of a metallic taste. These resulted in greater satisfaction with the vapocoolant spray compared with lidocaine. Vapocoolant spray is an effective and convenient way to prevent propofol-induced pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)703-708
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Anesthesia
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists.

Keywords

  • Ethyl chloride spray
  • Lidocaine
  • Pain
  • Propofol

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Preventive effect of a vapocoolant spray on propofol-induced pain: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this