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Published on: September 11, 2018
Use of local anesthesia for arterial punctures
Timothy L Hudson1, Susan F Dukes, Karen Reilly
1US Army, Fort Bragg, NC 28307, USA. timothy.hudson@us.army.mil
Summary
Intradermal lidocaine effectively reduces pain during arterial punctures, yet its use is not universal. Further research is needed to understand and overcome barriers to its widespread adoption in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Medical Procedures
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Arterial access is a common invasive procedure in critical care.
- Arterial puncture causes significant pain and discomfort.
- Intradermal lidocaine injection can mitigate this pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on intradermal lidocaine for arterial puncture pain.
- To examine recommendations and studies regarding its use.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE (1980-2006) and manual reference checks.
- Inclusion of English-language articles on arterial puncture pain, lidocaine administration, and local anesthesia perceptions.
- Review of studies evaluating pain related to arterial/intravenous punctures and local anesthetic use.
Main Results:
- Local anesthetic use before arterial puncture is not standard practice, except among anesthesia providers.
- Misconceptions may hinder broader implementation of local anesthetics.
- Evidence suggests lidocaine effectively reduces pain during arterial access.
Conclusions:
- Further research is required to understand nurses' perceptions and actual practices regarding local anesthesia.
- Investigating established local policies is crucial before recommending changes.
- Addressing barriers is necessary for wider adoption of pain reduction strategies.
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