Efficacy and Safety of Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride Gel in Alleviating Pain during Male Urethral Catheterization: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether oxybuprocaine hydrochloride gel could alleviate pain during male catheterization. Methods. Between September 2021 and March 2022, a randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Urology Department of Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital (China). A total of 192 adult male patients requiring catheterization were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two groups: 96 in the test group and 96 in the control group. The test group included patients who received oxybuprocaine hydrochloride gel as urethral lubricant, while patients in the control group received liquid paraffin. The preoperative and postoperative pain scores were compared using nonparametric tests. Results. At the baseline, there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in preoperative pain scores between the test group (mean ± SD = 20.04 ± 2.68 mm) and the control group (mean ± SD = 20.21 ± 3.23 mm) ( $p=0.694$ ). Postoperative pain scores increased significantly in the test (mean ± SD = 31.98 ± 2.57 mm, $p<0.001$ ) and control groups (mean ± SD = 38.96 ± 2.02 mm, $p<0.001$ ) groups. Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the test group (mean ± SD = 31.98 ± 2.57 mm) than those in the control group (mean ± SD = 38.96 ± 2.02 mm ( $p<0.001$ ). Conclusions. The use of oxybuprocaine hydrochloride gel significantly reduced pain during male urethral catheterization. The study provides evidence for clinicians to use oxybuprocaine hydrochloride gel during male catheterization.