Introduction
Eutectic Mixture for Local Anesthetics (EMLA) is generally used as the painkiller cream for local anesthetizing of intact skin during superficial surgery as well as Venipuncture (VE) and Intravenous (IV) insertions. Because similar researches have been successfully performed by other researchers, however, this one is a sufficient contribution for the sphere of anesthetic research. The paper aims to provide critical analysis of the EMLA research.
Discussion
Aim and Importance
Because the importance of anesthesia during surgery is rather high, often, there is no necessity to use general anesthesia. Hence, EMLA creams appear to be helpful enough. The research aims to provide a reliable meta-analysis of the researchers dedicated to the application of EMLA creams for decreasing Venipuncture and Intravenous insertion pain. The effects of the anesthetic measures need to be measured and systematized, as Eutectic Mixture for Local Anesthetics are intended for intact skin, while insertion violates this point. (Eller, 2005)
Ethical Considerations
In general, any personal information was not used for this study, as this is a meta-analysis and compilation of the related studies. Considering the history of EMLA creation, the ethics of using the serendipitously invented medication should be more worrying than the research of using this medication for easing up pain during superficial surgeries.
Results
The results of the study reveal the fact that reports of the benefits of using EMLA for VE and IV are described in numerous medical and nursing publications, however, the scientific background of these researches is highly doubted. The empirical studies were arranged in 15 countries, nevertheless, the pain aspect was not paid sufficient attention in these studies, hence, they are useless for assessing the aspects of VE and IV insertion pain study. However, the meta-analysis of the related researches helped to reveal that the mean effect of the EMLA cream had a large significant effect on VE pain (d = 1.05) with a 95% confidence interval, while the results for IV insertion pain (d = 1.04) were close to 95% confidence interval. Even though most of the related researches ignore the aspect of VE and IV insertion, the analysis helped to reveal that EMLA cream is rather helpful in decreasing VE and IV insertion pain in at least 85% of the patients. (Feltzer, 2001)
Assessment
The article is based on the properly gathered and structured research data that is aimed at studying the aspects of decreasing the possible pain decrease during vein inserting. The results of the study confirmed the initial hypothesis, however, the clinical assessments and experiments have not been performed. Nevertheless, the meta-analysis of the related researches helped to achieve the precise results and values of EMLA cream usage. (Howe, 2006)
Considering the criteria for including the researches into the offered meta-analysis is far from perfect, nevertheless, the actual importance of this criteria helps to define the required results, as the actual importance of randomized clinical trials helps exclude prejudiced researches and conclusions made by scientists.
Conclusion
The use of Eutectic Mixture for Local Anesthetics for decreasing the inserting pain is closely associated with the values of effective nursing and increase of the patients’ comfort during superficial surgery. The key values of the meta-analysis are closely linked with the effective selection criteria, in accordance with which the researchers were suited.
Reference List
Eller, L. S. (2005). Testing a Model: Effects of Pain. Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice, 12(3), 191.
Feltzer, J. (2001) Reducing Venipuncture and Intravenous Insertion Pain with EMLA: A Meta-Analysis. Nursing Research. Vol 51, No 2.
Howe, F. R. (2006). Anesthesia for Neonatal Circumcision: Who Benefits? Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 12(1), 3.