Abstract

BATALHA, Luís Manuel da Cunha; CARREIRA, Maria Cândida Gomes  and  CORREIA, Maria Matilde Marques. Pain not to have pain: application of topical anesthetic. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2011, vol.serIII, n.5, pp.203-209. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIII11105.

The use of the local anesthetic EMLA® during painful procedures in children is becoming an increasingly common practice. Some of the techniques used seem to be more widely accepted than others. The aim of this study was to compare three techniques of EMLA® cream application in terms of pain in children during removal of the protective dressing and the venipuncture ( VP). A prospective, randomized and controlled clinical study was performed with 142 children aged 4-14 years attending the outpatient department for medical specialties and subspecialties of a pediatric hospital, and in need of VP. Of the three techniques used, technique C (using a teat and an elastic bandage) was considered painless, whereas the standard technique was the most painful (p<0.05). The three techniques were effective in preventing pain in VP. Children, parents and nurses were unanimous in their preference for technique C. It was concluded that technique C is easy and quick to apply, cost-effective and painless for the child, and that it is also the one preferred by parents and nurses. Thus, its use is recommended in this age group.

Keywords : child; pain; puncture; anesthetic.

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