Premium
A Randomized Controlled Study to Compare the 2% Lignocaine and Aqueous Lubricating Gels for Female Urethral Catheterization
Author(s) -
Chan Moon Fai,
Tan Hong Yun,
Lian Xia,
Ng Li Yuen Geraldine,
Ang Li Ling Emily,
Lim Lay Hoon Linda,
Ng Wai May,
Tan Mui Choo Yvonne Gwendoline,
Taylor Beverley Joan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/papr.12056
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , visual analogue scale , anesthesia , surgery , lidocaine
Objective The 2% lignocaine gel has long been used for male urethral catheterization, but aqueous gel as lubricant has been used for females. However, studies report that females experience pain during urethral catheterization. We compared the effectiveness of 2% lignocaine gel (intervention) and aqueous gel (control) for female urethral catheterization in reducing procedural pain. Methods A double‐blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 in an acute care hospital in Singapore. In total, 52 adult female inpatients (26 interventions vs. 26 controls) requiring urethral catheterization were included in the study. The intervention included patients receiving 2% lignocaine gel as a lubricant for urethral catheterization. Patients' pre‐ and postprocedural visual analog scale ( VAS ) were collected prospectively and nonparametric tests were used for data analysis. Results There was a significant reduction from the preprocedure pain score (Median = 22.0 mm) to the postprocedural pain score (Median = 6.6 mm) in the 2% lignocaine group (Z = −3.8, P < 0.001), but not in the aqueous gel group (pre vs. post: 16.5 mm vs. 18.2 mm; Z = −0.36, P = 0.716). Subjects using 2% lignocaine gel had significantly more reduction in the postprocedural pain score than the aqueous gel group (U = 209.5, P = 0.019). Conclusions The 2% lignocaine gel significantly reduces the procedural pain of female urethral catheterization as compared with aqueous gel. This study provides evidence for the hospital to change the current practice in the hope of reducing procedural pain for female patients during urethral catheterization.