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Preventive effect of a vapocoolant spray on propofol-induced pain: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study

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Abstract

Purpose

Propofol causes injection pain. Although lidocaine pre-treatment via venous occlusion is known to be the most effective way, it still has some inconvenience. We implemented this study to compare the effect of a vapocoolant spray with lidocaine pre-treatment.

Methods

Participants (n = 90) were randomized to one of three groups. Group V: after placebo injection and tourniquet, the vapocoolant spray was applied; group L: after lidocaine injection and tourniquet, the placebo spray was applied; group C: after placebo injection and tourniquet, the placebo spray was applied. The intensity of propofol-induced pain, the incidence of metallic taste, and the satisfaction were assessed.

Results

Propofol-induced pain was significantly lower in groups V and L than in group C [0.5 (0–2.25), 0.5 (0–1), and 5 (1–7), median (interquartile range), respectively, p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in pain intensity between groups V and L. Group L showed a significantly higher incidence of metallic taste than groups V and C (23, 0, and 0%, respectively; p = 0.001). Groups V and L showed higher satisfaction scores than group C [5 (4–5), 4 (3.75–5), and 2 (2–3), respectively; p < 0.001], and there was a significant difference between groups V and L (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Vapocoolant spray showed a similar effect to lidocaine in analgesia and lowered the incidence of a metallic taste. These resulted in greater satisfaction with the vapocoolant spray compared with lidocaine. Vapocoolant spray is an effective and convenient way to prevent propofol-induced pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea

    Young Eun Moon & Dong Hyun Kim

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA

    Michael Y. Lee

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  1. Young Eun Moon
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  2. Michael Y. Lee
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  3. Dong Hyun Kim
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Correspondence to Young Eun Moon.

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Moon, Y.E., Lee, M.Y. & Kim, D.H. Preventive effect of a vapocoolant spray on propofol-induced pain: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study. J Anesth 31, 703–708 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-017-2386-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-017-2386-3

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