Effect of ethyl chloride spray on IV cannulation pain
Abstract:
Aim: To evaluate patients’ pain perception and satisfaction, with ethyl chloride spray compared to placebo during intravenous cannulation.
Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in emergency-observation ward of a tertiary-care-hospital was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024. A total of 417 patients were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 209) or control group (n = 208). Patients underwent intravenous cannulation in antecubital fossa (left/right). Pain perception and patient satisfaction following the use of ethyl-chloride-spray (ECS) compared to placebo, assessed using a 0-10 Verbal-Numeric-Rating-Scale and satisfaction questionnaire. Nurses’ satisfaction with ECS and placebo, evaluated by Likert-scale, along with the observation of adverse effects. Final data analyzed using STATA, included 404 participants (202 in each group).
Results: Demographic, clinical profile, and baseline pain perception scores between groups did not show any significant differences. Experimental group reported significantly less pain than control (p < 0.001). Nurses found cannulation easier in 43% of experimental cases versus 33% in controls (p < 0.001). In experimental group, 81% of patients were satisfied and recommended ECS for future use. In both groups, no adverse effects were reported.
Conclusion: Ethyl chloride spray significantly reduced pain perception during intravenous cannulation. High levels of patient satisfaction and nurse endorsement for pain management during IV cannulation.
Clinical trial registration: https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php, identifier is CTRI/2019/09/021285.
Reference:
Jelly P, Sharma R, Kumar P, Sonia S, Sharma SK, Payal YS. Effect of ethyl chloride spray on pain, patient & nurse satisfaction, and adverse effects during IV cannulation: randomized control trial. Pain Manag. 2025 Nov 23:1-9. doi: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2593226. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41277056.