Comparison Between Vapocoolant Spray and Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics in Reducing Pain From Spinal Injection

Approval from Ethical Committee of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia was acquired prior conducting the study. Subjects were given informed consent before enrolling the study and randomized into two groups (Vapocoolant spray group and eutectic mixture local anesthetics (EMLA) group). Intravenous (IV) cannulae with Ringer Acetate fluid, non-invasive blood pressure monitor, and pulse-oxymetry were set on the subjects in the operation room. Vital signs were recorded. Patients were positioned in sitting position and were instructed to flex their head and bend their back. Identification of intervertebral space L4-5 were performed. Asepsis and antisepsis procedure were performed. The Vapocoolant spray group received vapocoolant spray at a distance of 10 cm for 2 seconds and we waited for 10 seconds. The EMLA group received EMLA cream which consisted of 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5 % prilocaine in 2 ml of water/oil emulsion and then they received tegaderm as the dressing for 45-60 minutes before the cream was wiped off. Spinal injection using 27G needle were performed after the intervention to each groups. Needle bevels were aligned parallel to dura fibres. Patients' visual analog score (VAS) and movements were recorded. Evaluation was only done in the first injection attempt, and was followed until the depth of the needle was around 5 mm. After the injection was successfully performed, patients' position were changed into supine position. Evaluation and recording were performed by person who was blinded from the intervention. Vital signs were recorded for every 3 minutes in the first 15 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until the end of the procedure.