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A Study to Assess the Ability of 2% Lidocaine Gel to Reduce the Discomfort of Urethral Catheterization

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Urinary Tract Infection
Interventions
Drug: Health Care Lubricating Jelly
Registration Number
NCT01690767
Lead Sponsor
Lawson Health Research Institute
Brief Summary

Children 0-24 months of age requiring a urethral catheterization for urine collection will be randomized to receive either topical and intraurethral 2% lidocaine or standard of care to assess for the effectiveness of the former in minimizing pain during urethral catheterization. It is hypothesized that administration of 2% lidocaine gel both topically and intraurethrally will confer a greater degree of pain reduction compared to standard of care.

Detailed Description

An estimated 10% of children 0-24 months of age that present to the emergency department (ED) with fever and/or vomiting have a urinary tract infection (UTI). An accurate diagnosis of a UTI ensures timely and appropriate treatment given to reduce the risk of renal scarring, which is the greatest in this age group. To ensure diagnostic accuracy, urethral catheterization is the preferred method to obtain a urine sample from a young child. In contrast to adults, most children do not receive local analgesia for urethral catheterization; despite growing recognition that children experience avoidable pain and discomfort during invasive procedures.

Following informed consent, participants will be randomized by block randomization in a concealed fashion to receive either topical and intraurethral 2% lidocaine or standard of care using a computerized random number generator. The research nurse will access a sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelope that will contain the participant's group assignment. No adjunctive analgesic methods will be used. A research pharmacist will prepare 2% lidocaine gel in a 3 cc syringe attached to a 24 gauge angiocath. Children \< 7 kg and \> 7 kg will receive 1 cc and 1.5 cc, respectively (2).

The entire procedure will be videotaped and participants pain will be scored using a brow bulging score and visual analogue scale by independent, blinded raters.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
133
Inclusion Criteria
  • children 0-24 months of age presenting to the emergency department requiring a urethral catheterization to obtain a urine specimen
Exclusion Criteria
  • unstable
  • external genitourinary anomalies
  • lidocaine allergy and
  • previous catheterization within 24 hours

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Topical and intraurethral 2% lidocaine2% lidocaine gel2% lidocaine gel will be applied for 5 minutes to the external urethral opening. This will be followed immediately by 2% lidocaine gel administration into the urethra using a 24 gauge angiocath for 5 minutes prior to catheterization for urine specimen collection. Children \< 7 kg and \> 7 kg will receive 1 cc and 1.5 cc, respectively.
Standard of careHealth Care Lubricating JellyAccording to standard nursing practice, the urethra will be catheterized without anaesthetic gel but using lubricant gel only. Intervention is Health Care Lubricating Jelly.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Brow Bulging Score30 seconds post intervention compared to baseline

The presence of brow bulging will be scored in 2-second intervals for the first 30 seconds for each of the six phases. The percentage of time that brow bulging is observed will then be calculated for each phase.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Facial grimacing score30 seconds post intervention compared to placebo

The presence of brow bulging, nasolabial furrowing and eyes squeezing shut will be scored in 2-second intervals for the first 30 seconds for each of the six phases. The percentage of time that all three of these features is observed will then be calculated for each phase.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Center

🇨🇦

London, Ontario, Canada

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