Comparison of percutaneous anaesthesia for venous cannulation after topical application of either amethocaine or EMLA cream.

We have compared, in a double-blind study, the efficacy of topical amethocaine cream 1 g (5% w/w) in alleviating the pain of venous cannulation with that of 5% EMLA cream 2.5 g. One hundred and twenty unpremedicated female patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery, were allocated randomly to one of four groups: 5% EMLA cream 2.