Comparison between lignocaine patch and diclofenac patch on venepuncture pain relief in adult patients

Abstract

Background: Venous cannulation and propofol injection are common sources of pain and distress in surgical patients. While lignocaine (lidocaine) patch and diclofenac patch have been compared separately with other interventions in several studies, both the drugs have not been evaluated head-to-head in a single study regarding their comparative efficacy. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of a lidocaine 5% patch and diclofenac patch in attenuating venepuncture pain and propofol injection-related pain in adult patients. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized study, 100 adult patients were divided into two groups to receive lidocaine 5% patch (Group L) or diclofenac patch (Group D), both applied to the dorsum of the hand for 1 h before cannulation using a 20-G needle. Venous cannulation pain (primary outcome) was assessed using 11-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Propofol injection-related pain was assessed using a 4-point verbal rating scale. Results: The mean VAS scores for venepuncture pain were comparable between lidocaine and diclofenac groups (5.52±0.97 vs. 5.76±1.20, P=0.219). Fewer patients in the lidocaine group experienced moderate pain during propofol injection compared to the diclofenac group, but this difference was comparable (28% vs. 46%, P=0.418, respectively). Conclusion: Both lidocaine 5% patch and diclofenac patch can provide comparable analgesia for venous cannulation. While the lidocaine patch apparently reduces the incidence of moderate pain of propofol injection, the diclofenac patch is a viable clinical alternative.