Effectiveness of lidocaine lubricant for discomfort during pediatric urethral catheterization

Lisa L Gerard1, Christopher S Cooper, Kathy S Duethman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Univeristy of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242-1089, USA.

Insights

Lidocaine lubricant significantly reduces pain and distress during pediatric catheterization. This simple intervention is recommended for children undergoing urethral catheterization to improve their experience.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Pain Management
  • Medical Procedures

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux frequently necessitate catheterization in children.
  • Catheterization is often a painful procedure, potentially impacting patient care and compliance.
  • Effective pain management strategies are crucial for pediatric procedural interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of urethral lubricant containing lidocaine in minimizing pain and distress during pediatric catheterization.
  • To assess the impact of lidocaine lubricant on patient comfort during urethral catheterization.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
  • Twenty children undergoing urethral catheterization received lubricant with or without lidocaine.
  • Pain and distress were objectively measured using validated scales, alongside pre-procedure anxiety assessment.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in age, prior catheterizations, or pre-procedure anxiety were observed between groups.
  • Children receiving lidocaine lubricant reported significantly lower pain scores (p=0.001).
  • Lidocaine lubricant also led to significantly reduced distress levels during catheterization (p=0.007).

Conclusions:

  • Urethral lubricant containing lidocaine is an effective method for reducing pain during pediatric catheterization.
  • The use of lidocaine lubricant is recommended to improve the experience of children undergoing urethral catheterization.
  • This intervention offers a safe and effective approach to pediatric procedural pain management.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics01:13

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics

The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...