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

Abstract

To determine whether the temperature of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel affects the initial discomfort during instillation into the male urethra. Sixty consenting men were randomized to receive 11 mL of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel, Farco-Pharma GmbH, Cologne, Germany) at 4 degrees C, 22 degrees C or 40 degrees C. The three groups were well matched for age and numbers of previous flexible cystoscopies. The gel was instilled by one operator and the patients were then immediately asked to score the pain on instillation using a 100-mm nongraphical visual analogue scale. Compared with the control group (at 22 degrees C), there was a statistically significant reduction in pain score in the group receiving cold gel (Student's t-test, P<0.05). The cooling of 2% lignocaine gel significantly reduced the initial discomfort associated with its delivery into the male urethra before any form of urethral instrumentation.