Does lidocaine-prilocaine cream permit painfree insertion of IV catheters in children?

Abstract

Children are often afraid of needles and syringes and the pain associated with injections. This study shows that Entectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) cream reduces the pain of needle puncture to a considerable extent in children. Results from delayed hypersensitivity tests and skin irritation tests have not revealed any negative effects of EMLA cream. The adverse reactions observed in this study were mild and transient. It thus seems as if this preparation is both effective and well-tolerated. The disadvantages of the applied technique are the comparatively long application time and the need for an occlusive dressing. However, application of the cream could easily be included in the preparatory procedures necessary for insertion of iv cannulae. The occlusive dressing causes some minor problems as the redness observed was mainly located under the tape and not under the cream itself.