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Lidocaine iontophoresis for topical anesthesia before intravenous line placement in children

W T Zempsky1, K J Anand, K M Sullivan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Egleston Children's Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|June 17, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Lidocaine iontophoresis significantly reduced pain during intravenous line placement in children. This topical anesthesia method proved effective and rapid for pediatric patients requiring IV access.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Pain Management
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Intravenous (IV) access is common in pediatric care.
  • IV placement can cause significant pain and anxiety in children.
  • Effective pain management strategies are crucial for pediatric procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of lidocaine iontophoresis for topical anesthesia.
  • To compare pain levels during IV placement with and without lidocaine iontophoresis.
  • To assess patient, parent, and healthcare provider perceptions of pain.

Main Methods:

  • Double-blind, randomized trial.
  • 42 children aged 7 to 18 years participated.
  • Iontophoresis of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine versus placebo therapy.

Main Results:

  • Significantly less pain reported by patients (p=0.005), parents (p=0.001), IV personnel (p=0.009), and investigators (p=0.0002) with lidocaine iontophoresis.
  • Lidocaine iontophoresis demonstrated rapid and effective pain reduction.
  • The treatment was well-tolerated in the pediatric population.

Conclusions:

  • Lidocaine iontophoresis is a highly effective method for topical anesthesia prior to IV placement in children.
  • This technique significantly alleviates procedural pain across multiple perspectives.
  • It offers a valuable, non-invasive option for improving pediatric IV access experiences.

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