The Efficacy of the EMLA Analgesic Cream in Compare with Placebo in Pediatric Oncology Lumbar Puncture

Abstract Background The present randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of a topical lidocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) to relief pain during spinal puncture in pediatric oncology patients. Materials and Methods Sixty patients with malignancy candidate for spinal puncture were selected for this study. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A had topical EMLA cream and group B had placebo, which they received 60 to 90 minutes before spinal puncture. Pain score was rated using the Wong-Baker Faces rating score (0: no pain to 10: worst pain). Results Pain score does not reduce significantly in the topical EMLA cream in compared with placebo (p-value=0.126). No signs of infection were noted at the spinal puncture sites 24 or 48 hours after the procedure. Conclusion Results obtained from this study represents that the EMLA cream has not more analgesic effect than placebo in reducing the pain for spinal puncture.