Comparison of large antecubital vein versus small vein on dorsum of hand for the prevention of propofol injection pain

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of using two different sizes of veins on upper limb for the prevention of propofol intravenous injection pain.

Methodology: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at Department of Anesthesia, King Saud University, Riyadh (KSA) from May 1, 2013 – May 31, 2014. A total of 160 patients, ages between 20-50 years, both male and female, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) class I and II, posted for elective surgery under general anesthesia (GA) were included in the study and were divided into two groups. Patients with known history of allergy to lidocaine or propofol, obese patients, anticipated difficult intubation, already on any analgesics and pregnant patients were excluded from the study. Both groups received an admixture of propofol (1%) – lidocaine (2%) on induction of anesthesia through antecubital vein (Group-1) or through a vein on dorsum of hand (Group-2). Pain was assessed as none, mild, moderate or severe.