Comparison of the topical anaesthetic efficacy of various agents with anaesthetic effects and evaluation of their effects on pain and anxiety in children

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of synthetic topical anaesthetics, such as topical anaesthetic sprays and topical anaesthetic gels, with natural methods, such as basil oil, chamomile oil, and ice, and to compare their effects on pain and anxiety levels in children. This study involved a total of 50 (22 boys, 28 girls) paediatric patients aged 6–12 years, with five groups formed, each including 10 patients. Heart rates were measured before and during local anaesthesia using a pulse oximeter. Pain scores reported by the child and observed by the doctor during topical and local anaesthesia were recorded using the VAS scale. Anxiety levels during topical anaesthesia and before and during local anaesthesia were recorded using the SEM scale. It was determined that the difference between the average heart rates of boys and girls prior to topical anaesthesia was statistically significant, while no significant difference was found in other measurements. It was also found that age had a significant effect on doctor's VAS scores during local anaesthesia. The effect of topical anaesthesia groups on doctor and children's VAS scores during topical anaesthesia was statistically significant (the topical anaesthetic spray group had higher scores in doctor values, while the topical anaesthetic spray and topical anaesthetic gel groups had higher scores in children values). while the effect on doctor and children VAS scores during local anaesthesia was found to be statistically insignificant. No significant differences were found in all SEM value measurements performed in topical anaesthesia groups, gender and age.