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AbscessPhase 4NCT01673061

Vapocoolant Spray for Numbing Small Boils Before Incision and Drainage

A Phase 4 study testing Lidocaine and Vapocoolant in people with Abscess, run by Albert Einstein Healthcare Network at 1 site in United States.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
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Trial summary

Cutaneous abscesses (boils) are collections of pus or infection in the skin, and are a frequent reason for emergency department visits. The only proven cure for abscesses is cutting them open and allowing the infection to drain, but this procedure is often painful. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Abscess
What is being tested?
Lidocaine and Vapocoolant
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
21 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Aug 2012to Aug 2013
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Greater than or equal to 18 years old
  • Able to consent
  • Has cutaneous abscess less than or equal to 2 centimeters requiring incision and drainage in the Emergency Department

Who cannot join

  • Less than 18 years old
  • Unable to consent
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Prisoner or in police custody
  • Known sensitivity to vapocoolant or lidocaine
  • Cold hypersensitivity
Show all 20Show fewer
  • Chronic steroid use
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Diabetes
  • HIV
  • Malignancy
  • Immunosuppressive state
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Abscess greater than 2 centimeters in any dimension
  • Abscess requiring procedural sedation and analgesia for incision and drainage, or further intervention outside the Emergency Department
  • Abscess located on the hands, feet, face, or perineal areas
  • Pilonidal cyst
  • hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Not a good candidate per attending physician

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Albert Einstein Medical Center

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19141

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Vapocoolant Spray as a Novel Local Anesthetic for Cutaneous Abscess Incision and Drainage

Cutaneous abscesses (boils) are collections of pus or infection in the skin, and are a frequent reason for emergency department visits. The only proven cure for abscesses is cutting them open and allowing the infection to drain, but this procedure is often painful. Currently, the usual method of pain control is to inject a numbing medication (lidocaine) into the site, but this injection itself is often painful and sometimes does not offer full pain relief. Although there has been some research into the use of non-injected numbing agents as another option, no studies have looked at the use of numbing sprays (vapocoolant) in this context specifically. The hypothesis of this study is that numbing spray is as good as injected numbing medication at relieving pain in patients having small abscesses opened and drained. This theory will be tested by taking two groups of patients having small abscesses drained in the Emergency Department, and assigning one group to get a numbing injection, and the other to get a numbing spray. Their levels of pain and satisfaction will be recorded before, during, and after the procedure, and the two groups will be compared.

Read the detailed description

Hypotheses: Patients would have a similar amount of pain with incision and drainage using local infiltration of anesthetic as with application of a vapocoolant spray and the pain of the administration of anesthesia would be similar or reduced with the use of the vapocoolant spray.

Specific aims: 1.Non-inferiority in pain of anesthesia administration and incision and drainage of small abscesses by finding no significant difference of patient pain as measured on the VRNS scale.

  1. Show that patients were willing to undergo anesthesia again with a vapocoolant spray as assesed by the Likert scale Long term goals- To implement the use of vapocoolant sprays as an alternative form of anesthesia for incision and drainage of abscesses

The primary outcome measure for this study would be the finding of no significant difference in the pain as measured by the VRNS between the two arms for administration of anesthesia. Secondary measures would be finding no significant difference in VRNS for incisional and drainage, and change in VRNS from presentation to anesthesia, and to incision and drainage, willingness of the patient to choose the allocated sprayin the future, and unexpected events.

Initial medical assessment will be made by an attending/senior resident in accordance with established clinical procedures, including the history, physical examination, and vital signs. If by clinical assessment the patients meet eligibility criteria, then they will be approached by a research associate for screening, informed consent process, enrollment in the study, and data collection. Following the screening questionnaire, the research associate will hold thorough discussion about the study. The patients will be given as much time as they require to understand and make an informed decision. A formal written consent will be obtained if patients agree to participate. After the patient understands and signs the informed consent form, they will be randomized to either the placebo group or treatment group by using a randomization scheme. The treating physician will measure erythema and induration using a measuring tape, estimate the amount of fluctuance as small, moderate, or large, and note the location of the abscess. Once randomized, subjects will be given a VRNS scale to rate their pain upon initial presentation The treating physician will clean the abscess with chlorhexidine solution then either spray the skin overlying the abscess with 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane and 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane spray (Gebauer's Pain Ease® Medium Stream Spray) at a distance of 12 cm from the site for a duration of 2 seconds or infiltrate the abscess with 2% lidocaine with epinepherine (amount determinted by treating physician). Any reactions to the vapocoolant administration will be noted. The abscess will then be incised with a No. 11 surgical scalpel, and a cotton tipped applicator will be used to break up loculations within the abscess cavity. The method of I\&D, and decision to probe to break-up loculations will be standardized, but the degree of probing, and decision to pack will be left to the discretion of the treating physician. Subjects will be asked by the research assistant to describe the discomfort of the abscess using the Visual Numerical Rating Scale (VRNS) during vapocoolant administration, during incision of the abscess, and after the procedure is complete.

Conditions
Abscess
Being tested
Lidocaine, Vapocoolant
Keywords
Abscess, Boils, Anesthetics, Local, Lidocaine, Vapocoolant, 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane
Medical subject headings
Abscess, Furunculosis

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • LidocaineDrug

    Also called Lidocaine with Epinephrine

    See associated Arm Description

  • VapocoolantDrug

    Also called Gebauer's Pain Ease, Numbing Spray, 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane

    See associated Arm Description

Study groups in NCT01673061
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
LidocaineActive comparatorLidocaine injection will be used for anesthesia prior to incision and drainage. 2% Lidocaine with epinephrine will be injected into the abscess site. Amount injected will be per physician discretion.
Receives: Drug: Lidocaine
VapocoolantActive comparatorVapocoolant spray will be used for anesthesia prior to incision and drainage. The spray will be administered to the abscess site for a duration of 2 seconds, from a distance of 12 cm.
Receives: Drug: Vapocoolant

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. VNRS Pain Scale - Anesthetic Administration

    Visual Numeric Rating Scale (VNRS) for pain level at time of anesthetic administration on Day 1.

    Measured: Once, on Day 1, at time of anesthetic administration

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. VNRS Pain Scale - Incision and Drainage

    Visual Numeric Rating Scale (VNRS) for pain level during incision and drainage of the abscess on Day 1.

    Measured: Once, on Day 1, at time of incision and drainage

  2. Change in VNRS - From Pre-anesthesia to Administration of Anesthesia

    Difference between the VNRS pain scale values collected just prior to anesthesia administration, and at the moment of anesthesia administration, on Day 1.

    Measured: Once, on Day 1

  3. Change in VNRS - From Pre-anesthesia to Post-procedure

    Difference between the VNRS pain scale values collected just prior to anesthesia administration, and at after all aspects of incision and drainage are complete, on Day 1.

    Measured: Once, on Day 1

  4. Willingness to Use Method of Anesthesia in the Future

    Willingness of the subject to use their assigned method of anesthesia again if they were to require the same procedure in the future. Measured once on Day 1.

    Measured: Once, on Day 1

  5. Unexpected Events

    Any unexpected events that would occur during study period, including adverse events, on Day 1.

    Measured: Measured continuosly from consent to discharge, on Day 1.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Aug 2012 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2012
  3. Primary completionAug 2013
  4. Study completionAug 2013

Why it stopped: Vapocoolant not effective controlling pain compared with Lidocaine.

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
21 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01673061
Sponsor's protocol ID
HN 4405
Status last verified
Jun 2014
First submitted
14 Aug 2012
Last updated
19 Mar 2020
Data monitoring committee
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Singer AJ, Richman PB, Kowalska A, Thode HC Jr. Comparison of patient and practitioner assessments of pain from commonly performed emergency department procedures. Ann Emerg Med. 1999 Jun;33(6):652-8.

    PubMed 10339680
  • Hijazi R, Taylor D, Richardson J. Effect of topical alkane vapocoolant spray on pain with intravenous cannulation in patients in emergency departments: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2009 Feb 10;338:b215. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b215.

    PubMed 19208703
  • Costello M, Ramundo M, Christopher NC, Powell KR. Ethyl vinyl chloride vapocoolant spray fails to decrease pain associated with intravenous cannulation in children. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2006 Sep;45(7):628-32. doi: 10.1177/0009922806291013.

    PubMed 16928840
  • Cohen Reis E, Holubkov R. Vapocoolant spray is equally effective as EMLA cream in reducing immunization pain in school-aged children. Pediatrics. 1997 Dec;100(6):E5. doi: 10.1542/peds.100.6.e5.

    PubMed 9374583
  • Mawhorter S, Daugherty L, Ford A, Hughes R, Metzger D, Easley K. Topical vapocoolant quickly and effectively reduces vaccine-associated pain: results of a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Travel Med. 2004 Sep-Oct;11(5):267-72. doi: 10.2310/7060.2004.19101.

    PubMed 15544709
  • Cannon CR, Replogle B. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: is anesthesia necessary? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999 Apr;120(4):458-9.

    PubMed 10187933
  • Browne J, Awad I, Plant R, McAdoo J, Shorten G. Topical amethocaine (Ametop) is superior to EMLA for intravenous cannulation. Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics. Can J Anaesth. 1999 Nov;46(11):1014-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03013194.

    PubMed 10566919
  • Biro P, Meier T, Cummins AS. Comparison of topical anaesthesia methods for venous cannulation in adults. Eur J Pain. 1997;1(1):37-42. doi: 10.1016/s1090-3801(97)90051-3.

    PubMed 15102427
  • Rosier EM, Iadarola MJ, Coghill RC. Reproducibility of pain measurement and pain perception. Pain. 2002 Jul;98(1-2):205-16. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(02)00048-9.

    PubMed 12098633

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Lidocaine and Vapocoolant in people with Abscess, run by Albert Einstein Healthcare Network at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 20 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Mar 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 19 Mar 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

VNRS Pain Scale - Anesthetic Administration (time frame: Once, on Day 1, at time of anesthetic administration). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01673061, which also lists 9 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Mar 2020.

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