Failure to recruit

Nasogastric tube insertion is one of the most common invasive procedures performed in children's hospitals, and has long been recognised as one of the most traumatic and painful. As a once off procedure, a nasogastric tube insertion is extremely distressing but the repeated procedures that many children endure as a necessary part of treatment for a chronic disease can be so traumatic that psychological damage may occur. There have been a limited number of studies carried out which have looked at methods to reduce the pain and trauma associated with this procedure, but most of these have been carried out in the adult population.

The investigators propose to carry out a research project in a paediatric setting to definitively investigate the use of local anaesthetic spray, in combination with local anaesthetic gel, to numb the nasal passages and the back of the throat, with the aim of reducing or removing the unpleasant sensation of the nasogastric tube placement. If the study shows a benefit from the use of local anaesthetics, it would be an inexpensive and easily incorporated intervention that could be inserted into the routine procedure for nasogastric tube insertion.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed informed consent from parent of guardian
2. Signed assent from subject
3. Subject must have insertion of a nasogastric tube ordered as part of his/her current treatment
4. Must be 6 years of age or older
5. Must be able to complete visual analogue scale (VAS)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Congenital abnormalities of the naso/oropharyngeal area
2. Any surgical alterations in the naso/oropharyngeal area
3. Mucositis
4. Known history of hypersensitivity to xylocaine or other local anaesthetics
5. Known history of hypersensitivity to other components of the xylocaine solutions such as methyl or propyl hydroxybenzoate, ethanol, polyethylene glycol 400, banana flavour PHL-131980, menthol, saccharin
6. Allergy to food colouring
7. Presence of tracheotomy / tracheostomy
8. Presence of tumour in the nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal area
9. Impaired gag reflex
10. Impaired swallow
11. Any cardiac condition
12. Diabetes
13. Hypertension
14. Current use of antidepressant medication
15. Current use of cimetidine or propranolol
16. Significantly impaired liver function
17. Significantly impaired renal function
18. Current use of anti-arrhythmic medication