Upsala journal of medical sciences
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
EMLA for pain relief during arterial cannulation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a lidocaine-prilocaine cream.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a lidocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA cream, Astra) in relieving pain during arterial cannulation. The study had a random, double-blind, placebo-controlled design and included altogether 90 patients. All the patients were premedicated with an opioid before cannulation. ⋯ Between these groups pain experience measured by VAS did not show any significant difference although the mean value was lower in the EMLA group. Observer ratings showed a significant (p less than 0.01) difference in distribution towards lower ratings in the EMLA group. In conclusion EMLA was found to have a weak, but measurable effect when the application time exceeded 90 minutes but not after 60 minutes.