• J C Juárez Gimenez, M Oliveras, E Hidalgo, M J Cabañas, C Barroso, F A Moraga, S Gallego, and J S de Toledo.
• Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitari Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
• Ann Pharmacother. 1996 Nov 1;30(11):1235-7.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of eutectic mixture of local anesthetics 5% (Emla) in reducing pain associated with lumbar punctures in children.DesignProspective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.SettingUniversity pediatric hospital.PatientsEleven pediatric oncology patients (mean age 6.6 y, range 4-16) who underwent 31 lumbar punctures.Main Outcome MeasuresThe analgesic effect was measured by using two methods. The first was a 10-point visual analog scale reported by the patient and the second was an 8-point behavioral pain scale assessed by the nurse who applied the cream.ResultsEmla cream was associated with significantly lower pain scores than those with placebo as measured by the patient when the puncture was successful on the first attempt (2.0 +/- 1.6 Emla group, 3.8 +/- 1.9 placebo group; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe use of Emla cream may reduce pain substantially only in patients who undergo a successful lumbar puncture on the first attempt.

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