Introduction of a LAT gel and low-dose midazolam sedo-analgesia protocol for pediatric skin suture in the emergency department: simpler is better.

Background: skin lacerations are one of the main causes of children's referral to the emergency department (ED). We introduced in our general ED a pediatric sedo-analgesia protocol (SAP) for suturing skin wounds using LAT gel, a local anesthetic solution of lidocaine, adrenaline and tetracaine, with or without low-dose oral midazolam according to patient's age, to improve the experience of laceration repair.

Methods: Primary outcomes were improvement of suturing experience for ED operators (as a reduction in the desire to avoid the procedure) and of the adequacy of sedo-analgesia provided, investigated through two different surveys administered to the ED staff before and after the introduction of the SAP.