Local anesthesia for vein cannulation: a comparison of two solutions.

This randomized, double-blinded study prospectively compared two solutions for their anesthetic effect during initiation of peripheral intravenous catheters. Each subject received an intradermal injection of one solution at the intended venipuncture site immediately before vein cannulation. After catheter placement, the subjects rated their discomfort associated with this procedure using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale.