Comparison of Subcutaneous Injection of Normal Saline and Bacteriostatic Saline

Overview

This is a randomized, double-blind, single-center clinical trial comparing normal saline and bacteriostatic saline subcutaneous injection within a single subject. While both normal saline and bacteriostatic saline can be administered intravenously, this study aims to investigate their effects following subcutaneous injection. While benzyl alcohol (the bacteriostatic component of bacteriostatic saline) is known to have local anesthetic properties, it also is an irritant and can cause inflammation at the injection site. Based on clinical experience investigators anticipate that a normal saline injection will cause a mild stinging sensation and no subsequent inflammation. In contrast, subcutaneous injection of bacteriostatic saline will not cause stinging but will cause a mild degree of inflammation which is manifested as mild tenderness and mild ecchymosis at the site of injection.

Both normal saline and bacteriostatic saline are often used as vehicles for the injection of therapeutic drugs. However, their properties differ slightly as a result of the 0.9% benzyl alcohol component of BS. While benzyl alcohol is known to have local anesthetic properties, it also is an irritant and can cause inflammation at the injection site. In acidic conditions, benzyl alcohol is converted to benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. Objective and prospective data are needed to confirm these characteristics. The present protocol calls for random allocation of subcutaneous injections of 10 mL of NS into one anterior thigh and 10 mL of BS into the contralateral anterior thigh. Based on the verified safety of up to 30 mL of 0.9% bacteriostatic saline, this volume of saline solution poses little to no risk. Each thigh will receive one subcutaneous injection of either NS or BS, which will be determined by random allocation. Clinical follow-up examination will be done at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days. It is expected that by day seven, all signs of inflammation or bruising will have resolved. Both NS and BS are FDA-approved for subcutaneous injection and are commonly utilized daily by many physicians. A study documenting the benefits and disadvantages of NS and BS has never been done to the investigators' knowledge and will be helpful for medical professionals in determining which type of solution to use in certain circumstances. The sample size for this study is 32 subjects with a stopping point for analysis after 16 subjects. The sample size must be a multiple of four to satisfy the randomization in groups of four criteria. Investigators are analyzing the t-statistics at a level of alpha = 0.01, considering the Bonferroni correction. If after 16 subjects, statistical significance showing a difference between NS and BS has not been reached, investigators will continue with 16 more subjects. Tenderness, soreness, and pruritis NPS will be evaluated by paired t-tests to determine if the effects of injection by NS vs. BS differ at each of the four evaluation times. Investigators will do the same for the quantitative data gathered for bruising and redness surface area. This quantitative analysis will result in t-statistics and corresponding P-values which will be evaluated with an alpha = 0.01, considering the Bonferroni correction. For the categorical data for the intensity of bruising and redness/inflammation, investigators will create the categories of none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), and intense (3) and use this data to perform t-tests for significance.