The effect of propofol lipuro with and without lidocaine on injection pain in children

OBJECTIVE: Despite advantages of propofol use such as providing a good anesthesia and rapid recovery; pain due to intravenous propofol injection continues to be a problem. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of generic propofol and propofol lipuro with and without lidocaine on injection pain in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study performed between 01 December 2009 and 16 May 2010. A total of 120 children, who planned to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia, were included in four groups of 30 in a prospectively, randomized and double-blind study. Generic propofol was given to first and second groups and propofol lipuro was given to third and fourth groups. In addition to propofol, lidocaine was given to second and fourth groups. Injection pain was assessed using Ontario Children's Hospital Pain Scale (mCHEOPS). RESULTS: No differences were found in the mean age, weight and given dose of propofol administered between all groups (P>0.05). Double comparison of groups revealed no significant difference in pain scores between Group 1 and 2 (mean pain scores, 1.34 ± 1.42 vs. 1.22 ± 1.31 points, respectively; P>0.05). However, significant difference was found between propofol lipuro groups with or without lidocaine (3.20 ± 2.10 vs. 0.95 ± 1.21 points, respectively; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The highest pain scores were found in the propofol lipuro without lidocaine use while propofol lipuro plus lidocaine had the lowest pain scores. Because adding lidocaine to propofol lipuro decreased injection pain scores to minimum levels, this practice seems to be the most appropriate alternative in order to diminish propofol injection pain during anesthesia in children.