Duration of venous occlusion with lidocaine for preventing propofol induced pain.

Objective: To study the effect of the venous occlusion duration using lidocaine on the incidence and severity of propofol induced pain.

Methods: A prospective double-blind randomized study was designed at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan between October 2007 and November 2007. One hundred and fifty patients aged 14-70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) clinical status I and II who underwent elective surgeries under general anesthesia, were divided into 3 groups. All 3 groups had propofol 1% infusion at a constant rate after applying venous occlusion with lidocaine. The occlusion was applied for 15 seconds (group I, n=50), 30 seconds (group II, n=50) and 60 seconds (group III, n=50). Pain was assessed during injection according to a verbal pain score.

Results: Fourteen patients 28% had pain in group I, compared to 16 patients 32% in group II, and 9 patients 18% in group III. This difference did not reach statistical significance p>0.05 for the incidence and severity of pain.

Conclusion: While venous occlusion with lidocaine is an effective method in relieving propofol induced pain, we found no difference when the duration of venous occlusion was 15, 30, or 60 seconds.