To determine whether the temperature of 2% lignocaine gel affects the initial discomfort which may be associated with its instillation into the male urethra

Pain reduction methods during transurethral cystoscopy

Transurethral cystoscopy (CS) is a common urological procedure, performed mostly for diagnostic but also for therapeutic purposes. Although CS is generally well tolerated, some patients describe the pain related to the procedure as high or even “unbearable”. As a result, many patients fear and avoid both primary and/or follow-up cystoscopies. This may lead to uncontrolled progression of neoplastic disease. Therefore, it is crucial to maximally increase the comfort of the patient and to implement safe and effective analgesia before the procedure. Providing the patients with appropriate care during CS can encourage them to comply with diagnostic schedules and improve their prognosis. The aim of this review is to analyze the available literature on various methods of pain reduction during transurethral CS. The PubMed electronic database limited to English articles published until January 2021 was used in the process. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, prospective randomized studies, multicenter comparisons, reviews and retrospective comparisons were used. As a result, 65 articles were included in this review.

Lidocaine lubricant jelly does not reduce pain perception during female urethral catheterization: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

The use of lubrication before performing urethral catheterization has been recommended. However, the benefit of using lidocaine gel over plain lubricant gel in reducing pain perception during female urethral catheterization is unclear. With this review, we aimed to compare the pain perception during female urethral catheterization with or without lidocaine lubricant gel.

METHODS

In this study, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing 2% lidocaine gel and plain lubricant gel in reducing pain perception during female catheterization. Standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed while conducting this review (CRD42020207312).

RESULTS

In this review, six RCTs with 464 participants were included. The overall risk of bias for these studies was low. Pain score was presented as standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). In the overall and subgroup analysis (according to types of pain scores) no significant difference was found between the use of lidocaine and plain lubricant jelly (SMD -0.24 95% CI [-0.96 0.47]). On trial sequential analysis (TSA), by setting alpha = 5% and beta = 20% for moderate evidence the information size calculated was 440 participants. The cumulative Z-score crossed the TSA line proving the reliability of the results. According to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, the evidence is "moderately" certain.

CONCLUSION

The use of 2% lidocaine gel in female catheterization does not provide a significant reduction in pain perception as compared to plain lubricant gel.

Cooled (4°C) lidocaine during office cystoscopy improves patient satisfaction and comfort: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study

INTRODUCTION

Office-based flexible cystoscopy is often associated with considerable discomfort in male patients. We devised this study to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of cooling intraurethral lidocaine jelly to 4°C prior to use in office-based cystoscopy in an effort to reduce male patient discomfort.

METHODS

A total of 600 male patients scheduled for office diagnostic cystoscopy were enrolled and randomized into three groups for a prospectively controlled, double-blind study. Each group received one of the three methods of intraurethral lubrication: plain room temperature lubricant (control) (CON), room temperature lidocaine (LI), or lidocaine at 4°C (LI4°C). Perceived pain was recorded on a Likert visual analog scale (VAS) of 1-10 where 0=no pain and 10=excruciating pain. Kruskal-Wallis test assessed the efficacy of cooling lidocaine compared to room temperature lidocaine and control. Subjective pain reporting was corroborated with instantaneous objective pulse rate recording eliminating perception bias.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in cystoscopy duration between all groups. Mean pain scores (mean ± standard deviation) were 4.05±0.91, 2.74±1.01, and 1.8±0.84, respectively, for groups CON, LI, and LI4°C (p=0.02). There was a 32.34% reduction in the mean pain score of LI and a further reduction of 34.3% was achieved in LI4°C when compared to CON. Body mass index (BMI) and prostate weight had a significant positive correlation with pain score, whereas no such correlation was found with age.

CONCLUSIONS

Cooling lidocaine to 4°C provides additional analgesic benefit in men undergoing office cystoscopy and increases compliance.

Anaesthesia of the posterior urethra and pain reduction during cystoscopy - a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Standard intra-urethral instillation of anaesthetic gel may not sufficiently exclude pain perception during cystoscopy.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the anaesthesia within the posterior urethra on pain intensity related to cystoscopy in men.

Material and methods

One hundred and twenty-seven men undergoing cystoscopy were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group (66 vs. 61 patients). Intra-urethral instillation of 2% lidocaine gel was done in both groups. In the experimental group, the posterior urethra was additionally anaesthetized with distribution of the lidocaine gel by catheterisation. The study endpoints were pain intensity at successive time points of the procedure assessed on a numeric rating scale, overall pain intensity assessed on a Likert scale, the need for analgesics during 6 h after the procedure, and the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during 14 days after the procedure.

Results

Pain perception during cystoscopy did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, after 6 h patients in the experimental group were more likely to declare that the cystoscopy was painless (81.8% vs. 70.2%, relative risk = 1.17). The need for analgesics and the incidence of UTI were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences regarding pain perception were observed depending on patients’ age and the number of transurethral procedures performed in the past, with no relation to type of anaesthesia (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Anaesthesia of the posterior urethra is not more efficacious in reducing pain related to cystoscopy than standard instillation of anaesthetic gel. However, it improves the general perception of the procedure, and hence may positively influence patients’ compliance.

2% Lidocaine gel or plain lubricating gel: Which one should be used in male flexible cystoscopy?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and compare the effects on pain of intraurethral 2% lidocaine gel and plain lubricating gel in male patients underwent flexible cystoscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data of 220 male patients who underwent flexible cystoscopy between March 2012 and August 2014 were retrospectively analized. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to using intraurethral gel types. Group I included 120 patients who were underwent flexible cystoscopy with 2% lidocaine gel and Group II was consisted from 100 patients who underwent flexible cystoscopy with plain lubricating gel. The groups were compared according to postprocedure data including pain score, procedure time and age of patients.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients in Group I was 50.02±11.87 years while that in Group II was 52.03±13.37 years (p=0.492). The mean procedure times were 6.02±0.787 and 6.28±0.689 minutes in Group I and Group II respectively (p=0.061). Pain perception scores were not statistically different between the groups (Group I: 3.10±0.980, Group II: 3.34±0.789, p=0.132).

CONCLUSION

Use of intraurethral 2% lidocaine gel has no advantage over plain lubricating gel in regard to pain control during flexible cystoscopy in men.

Music reduces panic: an initial study of listening to preferred music improves male patient discomfort and anxiety during flexible cystoscopy

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of listening to preferred music on relieving male patients' pain and anxiety during flexible cystoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 124 male patients were admitted to our hospital for flexile cystoscopy by a single urologist between January 2013 and September 2013 and randomized to two equal groups. Group 2 included 62 patients who could select and listen to their preferred music during flexible cystoscopy. Group 1 included 62 patients who were unable to listen to the music. All patients were administered the same amount of lidocaine (10 mL) for 3 minutes for local anesthesia before flexible cystoscopy. A visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10 was used to assess patients' pain feeling after the cystoscopy procedure. Anxiety levels were calculated according to the State Instrument of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and the pulse rate were recorded 5 minutes before and immediately after the procedure. The duration of the procedure of each group were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were detected between group 1 and group 2 in the mean pain score on VAS (2.53 ± 1.34 vs 1.63 ± 1.09, P=0.002, Mann-Whitney U test), mean postprocedural State Anxiety Inventory pain score (39.4 ± 6.5 vs 34.5 ± 5.8), and postprocedural pulse rate (79.8 ± 5.5 vs 76.0 ± 7.3) (P<0.001 for both, t test). Patients who listened to their preferred music experienced less discomfort and lower anxiety at cystoscopy. Patient age, duration of the procedure, preprocedural STAI-S, and preprocedural pulse rate of each group were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Listening to preferred music during flexible cystoscopy is an easy way to improves male patients' comfort and reduce their anxiety. It could be recommended for male patients.

Catheter lubrication and fixation: interventions

This article looks at the indications for catheterisation, the anatomy of the urethra, the importance of asepsis and the rationale for the use of urethral lubrication for catheter insertion. The variations of lubrication available are discussed, including the use of products containing lidocaine and chlorhexidine. It then considers the problems caused by traction to the catheter and discusses the securement devices available for preventing tissue damage at the bladder neck, within the urethra and also at the meatus. The variation of devices is examined along with the potential problems associated with their use. Finally, it discusses the importance of clinicians being knowledgeable about the problems looked at and how to resolve them.

Intraurethral instillation of ketamine for male rigid cystoscopy

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of ketamine along with lidocaine gel for instillation in the male urethra for easiness of outpatient rigid cystoscopy, as compared with only using lidocaine gel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 60 consecutive men who were scheduled to undergo rigid cystoscopy were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mL of 2% lidocaine gel combined with 2 mL normal saline, or 10 mL of 2% lidocaine gel combined with 2 mL ketamine (100 mg). Hemodynamic changes and the level of pain perception of patients at the beginning, during, and after every procedure in both groups were recorded by using the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in hemodynamic changes between the two groups; however, the perception of pain was significantly decreased when lidocaine was used in conjunction with ketamine, most notably during the first 5 minutes of cystoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Instillation of lidocaine gel in conjunction with ketamine in the urethra could decrease pain perception and make men undergoing outpatient rigid cystoscopy more comfortable during the procedure.

Biofilm and other causes of pain in catheterization

This article looks at the anatomy of the bladder and how sensations, including pain, are transmitted to the brain. The use of urinary catheters is discussed and initially, the development of biofilm is addressed, from its cause, structure and effect, to how it can be treated. Many of the problems arising from biofilm and the resulting encrustation, can lead to pain, and the causes of this are discussed. Other problems which can cause patients to experience pain are also considered, and where there are possible solutions, these have been put forward. However, even when good practice is carried out, there will still be problems encountered, and further research is needed.

Patient tolerance during cystoscopy: a randomized study comparing lidocaine hydrochloride gel and dimethyl sulfoxide with lidocaine

PURPOSE

Cystoscopy is one of the most common examinations in urologic outpatient clinics. Various anesthetic approaches have been used to make cystoscopy more tolerable for patients. The aim of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of lidocaine hydrochloride gel compared to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with lidocaine in rigid cystoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male patients requiring 17F rigid cystoscopy were eligible for inclusion in this study. A total of 140 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=70) received approximately 11 mL of 2% lidocaine gel intraurethrally, while in group 2 (n=70) approximately 10 mL of 40% DMSO with an amount of lidocaine equal to that in the lidocaine gel was smeared around the scope and external urethral meatus. A penile clamp was placed for 15 minutes and 5 minutes in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Immediately after cystoscopic examination pain was scored on a 10-cm visual analog scale.

RESULTS

The mean pain scores after the procedure for group 1 and group 2 were 3.9+/-1.1 and 2.1+/-1.0, respectively. The pain scores were significantly lower for group 2 than for group 1 (P=0.015). No patients needed additional anesthetic agents or sedatives due to insufficient analgesia, and there were no serious side effects in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has shown that DMSO with lidocaine gel causes significantly less delivery discomfort in the male urethra than lidocaine hydrochloride gel. The advantages of DMSO with lidocaine are the mixture takes less time to act and had lower pain scores.

Causes and management of indwelling urinary catheter-related pain

Urinary catheters can be introduced into the urinary bladder either per urethra or via the suprapubic route; this article examines indications and contraindications to these routes. Catheter pain is subdivided into pain experienced as the catheter is passed, while in situ, and on removal. Relating to pain felt on insertion, risks associated with local anaesthetic/antiseptic gel and the occurrence of paraphimosis are discussed. Once in situ, the type of material used to manufacture the catheter, pressure on the urethra caused by a large Charrière size catheter, or from drainage bag traction, leading to discomfort and possible tissue damage are examined and solutions suggested. Catheter-associated meatal trauma in men and urethral post-menopausal discomfort in women are addressed; likewise, catheter cramp due to bladder spasm or catheter blockage, and interventions are recommended. Encrustation and 'cuffing' may cause pain during catheter removal and again, advice is given. Lastly, the possibility of pain due to fear/non-acceptance of the catheter is raised. In conclusion, once identified, the cause of catheter pain is often treatable, but should not be regarded negatively or ignored, as it warns of potentially harmful conditions and allows intervention before permanent damage can occur.

Does increasing hydrostatic pressure ("bag squeeze") during flexible cystoscopy improve patient comfort: a randomized, controlled study

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether increased hydrostatic pressure by simple manual compression ("bag squeeze") of the irrigation solution bag (500 mL of 0.9% saline) during passage of the flexible cystoscope will reduce patient discomfort.

METHODS

A total of 151 male patients undergoing diagnostic and review flexible cystoscopies were randomized to "squeeze" (n = 72) or "no squeeze" (n = 79) as the cystoscope was passed from below the external sphincter until after the bladder neck was negotiated. All patients had received 10 mL of 2% lidocaine gel beforehand. A 10-point visual analog pain scale assessing cystoscopy insertion was completed by the patients after the procedure.

RESULTS

The mean pain score was 1.38 (95% confidence interval 0.99-1.77) in the squeeze group and 3.00 (95% confidence interval 2.55-3.46) in the no-squeeze group (P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test). Patient age, procedure indication (diagnostic and review), and grade of clinician performing the cystoscopy had no effect on the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study have shown that the squeeze technique during insertion of a flexible cystoscope significantly decreases the discomfort of the procedure. It is strongly recommended in all male patients.

The use of local anesthetic gel during retrograde urethrography: does it cause a false negative result?

PURPOSE

To investigate the implication of topical urethral anesthetic gel on the evaluation of retrograde urethrography (RGU) MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 20 patients with a mean age of 46 years were enrolled. All these patients were subjected to RGU because of suspecting a urethral stricture. Of these 13 had a history of open or endoscopic urethral manipulation, while seven had no such history. In all patients 10 ml of Gelicain gel 2% (lidocainhydrocloride) was used as local anesthetic gel at temperature of 22 degrees C. The injection was made gradually over 10 s. The first set of RGU was done without local anesthesia and the second image was taken after 10 min of instillation of 2% gelicain gel. All images were evaluated by the same radiologist. The diameter of the urethra was measured by capture screen during fluoroscopy immediately distal to the stricture site in case of urethral strictures and at the middle of the bulbous urethra in other cases.

RESULTS

In all patients, the mean diameter of the urethra at the selected site was 8.7 +/- 2.5 mm before and 9.4 +/- 2.9 mm after instillation of local anesthetic gel (P = 0.005). The stricture was diagnosed in 13 cases while seven patients had no stricture. The clinical diagnosis of a possible stricture was the same before and after instillation of the local agent in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Instillation of the local anesthetic gel before RGU produces a slight but statistically significant increase in the diameter of the urethra at the selected sites. However, neither the radiologic reading of RGU nor the clinical diagnosis of a possible stricture was changed because of this increment.

Intra-articular injection of warmed lidocaine improves intraoperative anaesthetic and postoperative analgesic conditions

BACKGROUND

Although local anaesthesia for knee arthroscopy is a well-documented procedure, arthroscopy under local anaesthesia is often interrupted because of intolerable discomfort and pain. Warming local anaesthetic solutions may increase its anaesthetic effect. We tested whether intra-articular injection of warmed lidocaine solution could improve intraoperative anaesthetic and postoperative analgesic conditions.

METHODS

Patients in the warmed group received 20 ml warmed (40 degrees C) lidocaine 1% intra-articularly 20 min before surgery. The patients in the control group received 20 ml room-temperature (25 degrees C) lidocaine 1% intra-articularly 20 min before surgery. During surgery, the patients reported pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

The median VAS pain score was 1.5 (range, 0.0-3.0) in the warmed lidocaine group and 5.0 (4.0-8.0) in the control group (P<0.001). The median intra- and postoperative analgesic requirements in the control group were significantly greater than that in the warmed group.

CONCLUSION

Warmed lidocaine injected intra-articularly provides improved intraoperative anaesthetic and postoperative analgesic conditions for patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Tolerability of Prostate Transrectal Biopsies Using Gel and Local Anesthetics: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of intrarectal EMLA, a new topical anesthetic cream, and lidocaine gel as local anesthesia during transrectal prostate biopsy and to observe whether gel temperature can improve pain control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A series of 210 consecutive patients were randomized. Group 1 (N = 60) underwent intrarectal instillation of EMLA cream, group 2 (N = 50) 2.5% lidocaine gel, group 3 (N = 40) placebo, and group 4 (N = 60) no treatment. Patients in groups 2 and 3 were subdivided into subgroups according to instillation of warm or cooled gel. Pain control was assessed by a 10-point visual analog scale.

RESULTS

The median pain scores were 2.6 in group 1, 3.8 in group 2, 3.9 in group 3, and 3.6 in group 4. In 16 patients (7.6%), the procedure was suspended because of pain: none group 1, 6.0% in group 2, 10% in group 3, and 15% ing group 4. The temperature of the lidocaine gel did not affect tolerability.

CONCLUSION

Intrarectal instillation of EMLA cream is a simple, safe, and effective method of local anesthesia during transrectal prostate biopsy, superior to lidocaine gel, placebo, and no treatment.

Der Einsatz von Gleitmitteln in der Urologie

Lubricants are used for catheterization and/or endoscopic maneuvers. "The lubricant" should guarantee sufficient lubrification of the urinary tract, good visualization during endoscopy, and excellent local anesthesia. Additionally, asepsis or reliable control of the local bacterial flora of the urethra should be ensured. Modern lubricants fulfil these recommendations; in addition, they provide therapeutic opportunities for local therapy, for instance, of non-gonococcal urethritis. The latest results show that there are a few lubricants with antimicrobiotic influence on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is of great importance because of the steady increase in MRSA-dependent infections.

Instillation of anesthetic gel is no longer necessary in the era of flexible cystoscopy: a crossover study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Whether urethral injection of anesthetic and lubricating gel prior to outpatient flexible cystoscopy is worthwhile with regard to pain tolerance has been investigated only in a parallel randomized study. A crossover study was thus designed for further elucidation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Each of 33 male patients underwent three flexible cystoscopic examinations with intraurethral instillation of 11 mL of cold anesthetic gel (group 1), plain lubricating gel (group 2), or no gel (group 3). In every examination, 2% lidocaine gel was applied to the cystoscope. Although the cystoscopy was performed by two urologic surgeons, each patient underwent the three consecutive examinations with the same urologist. All the patients separately recorded pain levels during gel instillation, cystoscope insertion, and intravesical observation on a 100-mm visual analog scale after every cystoscopy.

RESULTS

From the median scores, the degree of pain resulting from gel injection was 77.0% and 98.0% of those for cystoscope insertion and intravesical observation, respectively. For each group stratified by anesthetic method, there was no significant difference in the pain score during either cystoscope insertion or intravesical observation.

CONCLUSION

The pain caused by intraurethral gel instillation is significant compared with that from cystoscope insertion and intravesical observation. Anesthetic gel instillation appears to have no significant advantage over anesthesia-free flexible cystoscopic examinations.

Is using lignocaine gel prior to flexible cystoscopy justified? A randomized prospective study

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate the discomfort and efficacy of instilling 2% lignocaine gel (Instillagel) versus smearing water-soluble gel (Aquagel) around the flexible cystoscope and external urethral meatus in men undergoing flexible cystoscopy for the first time and the overall efficacy of lignocaine gel in completion of the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 140 patients divided into two groups, were randomized for this study: group A (n = 70) received approximately 11 ml of 2% lignocaine gel (Instillagel) intraurethrally for approximately 15 min, while in group B (n = 70) approximately 10-15 ml of water-soluble gel (Aquagel) was smeared around the scope and external urethral meatus. Total completion time for each procedure was recorded. Primary outcomes were pain during instillation of lignocaine, during insertion of scope and cystoscopy. Pain was recorded by the patient using a 100-mm nongraphic rating visual analogue scale. Secondary outcome included procedure time and cost analysis.

RESULTS

The majority of patients in both groups reported mild pain with VAS 3 or less throughout the whole procedure. No significant difference was noted in the two groups at any stage of the procedure. Use of lignocaine gel added approximately 10 min to the procedure time.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study there was no significant difference in patient discomfort between instilling lignocaine gel and smearing of Aquagel in completion of flexible cystoscopy. However, application of lignocaine gel added extra time, effort and cost to the procedure.

Lignocaine gel: does it cause urethral pain rather than prevent it?

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that the chemical content of lignocaine gel is the cause of urethral pain during its instillation into the urethra.

METHODS

A prospective, double blind study was designed to test whether plain aqueous gel caused less delivery discomfort in the male urethra than 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel). 100 consecutive, consenting male patients attending for flexible cystoscopy were recruited and randomised to receive 11 ml of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel or 11 ml of plain aqueous gel. Upon receiving the gel into the urethra, the patient was asked to score any associated discomfort by using a horizontal, 100mm, non-graphical, visual analogue scale. Statistical comparison between the groups was made using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis by Mann-Whitney U-test showed a significant reduction in urethral delivery discomfort in those patients receiving plain gel compared to those receiving 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (p=0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

This current study has shown that plain aqueous gel causes significantly less delivery discomfort in the male urethra than 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel).