Lidocaine-Propitocain Cream, a Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics, Effectively Relieves Pain Associated With Vascular Access Intervention Therapy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Crossover Study.

ABSTRACT

Vascular access intervention therapy (VAIVT) is necessary to maintain vascular access in patients undergoing hemodialysis. VAIVT-associated vasodilatation is painful. However, few reports have focused on effective pain relief at the time of VAIVT. The present study was performed to determine whether lidocaine-propitocain cream, a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA), effectively reduces VAIVT-associated pain in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study was conducted in a single center. Among 210 patients who underwent a total of 437 VAIVT procedures from August 2017 to June 2018, 30 patients were randomly allocated to either the EMLA-placebo arm or placebo-EMLA arm at the time of VAIVT. EMLA application significantly reduced the visual analog scale score compared with placebo (47.0 ± 21.1 vs. 68.6 ± 20.7 mm, respectively; P < 0.05). EMLA is a safe and effective treatment for relief of VAIVT-associated pain in patients undergoing hemodialysis.