Is lidocaine infiltration during femoral sheath removal really necessary?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of intravenous morphine sulfate to intravenous morphine sulfate plus 1 % lidocaine infiltration in pain management associated with femoral sheath removal, and to evaluate pain intensity and associated complications during femoral sheath removal in patients with heart disease receiving interventional treatment. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, case-control study. SETTING: Mid-metropolitan, university-affiliated, tertiary care medical center. SAMPLE: Fifty patients with heart disease, who had no known allergies to morphine or lidocaine and who had not had an acute myocardial infarction, admitted to the cardiovascular intervention unit. MEASURES: Vertical visual analogue scale, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and demographic tool for complications. RESULTS: No significant differences in pain intensity, sensation, affect, and total scores were found between the analgesic regimens. Six (12%) patients had vasovagal reactions develop, but no statistical differences were found between pain intensity scores and associated complications. CONCLUSION: Morphine sulfate does appear effective in controlling pain associated with femoral sheath removal. The benefit of lidocaine infiltration during this procedure is questionable.