Analgesic effects of ethyl chloride spray in venepuncture – a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study

Abstract

Introduction and aim. This study evaluated whether ethyl chloride spray had an analgesic effect on pain intensity caused by venepuncture compared to a placebo. Material and methods. A total of 339 patients were randomly divided into two groups: The group in which ethyl chloride spray was applied (n=212) and the placebo group (n=127). The analgesic efficacy of ethyl chloride spray was compared with the placebo group using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results. When the analgesic efficacy of ethyl chloride spray was compared with the placebo group, the VAS score was 4 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.0] for the ethyl chloride spray group and 5 (IQR: 2.0) for the placebo group. The efficacy of ethyl chloride spray in reducing pain was statistically significant compared to the placebo (p<0.001). Conclusion. Ethyl chloride spray has analgesic activity in venepuncture. Therefore, this spray can be used at the emergency departments to reduce pain intensity in patients undergoing such interventions.