The effect of local cooling on pain perception during infiltration of local anaesthetic agents, a prospective randomised controlled trial.

The effect of pre-infiltration local cooling of the site of inguinal herniorrhaphy on pain perception during infiltration of local anaesthetic was studied in a prospective randomised controlled trial. One hundred patients were randomly allocated to receive topical application of either a cooled saline bag (study group) or a saline bag at room temperature (control group) prior to injection of local anaesthetic. Pain scores were recorded using a visual analogue scale following application of the saline bags and again on completion of infiltration with local anaesthetic. There was no significant difference in pain scores following topical saline bag application. However, a highly significant difference (p = 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U) was observed between post-infiltration pain scores of the study group (median = 2) and the control group (median = 6).

Taking the 'ouch' out - effect of buffering commercial xylocaine on infiltration and procedure pain - a prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.

AIMS: To compare the effect of buffered commercial 1% xylocaine (with 1:200,000 adrenaline) and the unbuffered commercial 1% xylocaine (with 1:200,000 adrenaline) preparation on pain during infiltration and procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomised, double blind controlled trial involving 85 patients who underwent bilateral vasectomy under local infiltration anaesthesia. RESULTS: Each patient served as his own control by receiving the buffered commercial preparation on one side and unbuffered commercial preparation on the other. Linear analogue pain scores during infiltration and procedure were recorded and analysed. The study demonstrated that pain perceived by the patient both during infiltration and the procedure was significantly lower when buffered commercial xylocaine was used as compared to the pain perceived with the use of unbuffered commercial xylocaine. CONCLUSIONS: Use of buffered xylocaine is a simple, inexpensive and significantly effective way of reducing pain during infiltration and in surgical procedures performed under local anaesthesia.