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Does EMLA cream application interfere with the success of venipuncture or venous cannulation? A prospective multicenter observational study

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Abstract

Venipuncture and intravenous cannulation are the most common painful procedures performed on children. The most widely used topical anesthetic is eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA). EMLA use is associated with a transient cutaneous vasoconstriction which can make it difficult to identify veins. We assessed with a prospective, multicenter, observational study whether EMLA interferes with venipuncture and intravenous cannulation. The primary study outcome was a success at first attempt in the course of venipuncture or venous cannulation. The study enrolled 388 children; 255 of them received EMLA and 133 did not. Eighty-six percent of procedures were successful at the first attempt in the EMLA group and 76.7 % in the no EMLA group. Conclusion: In this study, EMLA use did not interfere with the success of venipuncture or venous cannulation in children.

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Conflict of interest

The authors did not receive any honorarium, grant, or other form of payment to produce the manuscript. All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest and do not have any financial relationships with any biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical manufacturers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy

    S. Schreiber, L. Ronfani, C. Germani & E. Barbi

  2. U.O. Pediatria, Ospedale Civile, Conegliano Veneto (TV), Italy

    G. P. Chiaffoni

  3. Pediatric Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo” Trieste and University of Trieste, Via dell’Istria 65/1 34100, Trieste, Italy

    L. Matarazzo, M. Minute, E. Panontin & F. Poropat

Authors
  1. S. Schreiber
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  2. L. Ronfani
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  3. G. P. Chiaffoni
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  4. L. Matarazzo
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  5. M. Minute
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  6. E. Panontin
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  7. F. Poropat
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  8. C. Germani
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  9. E. Barbi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Matarazzo.

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Schreiber, S., Ronfani, L., Chiaffoni, G.P. et al. Does EMLA cream application interfere with the success of venipuncture or venous cannulation? A prospective multicenter observational study. Eur J Pediatr 172, 265–268 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-012-1866-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-012-1866-6

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