Variable

Number (%)

Mean pain on a VAS before the procedure (in mm)

9

Mean pain on a VAS during the procedure (in mm)

36

Mean pain on a VAS after the procedure (in mm)

9.5

Mean anxiety on a VAS before the procedure (in mm)

40

Mean length of the procedure (in minutes)

11.4

Felt anxious about the procedure

29 (73)

Painkillers before the procedure:

Ladder 1

Ladder 2

Ladder 3

9 (22.5)

5 (12.5)

1 (2.5)

Anxiolytics before the procedure

5 (13)

Pain prophylaxis:

Local anaesthesia

No prophylaxis other than local anaesthesia

Painkillers alone

Paracetamol

Strong opioids

Paracetamol plus strong opioids

Anxiolytics alone

Nitrogen Monoxide-oxygen mixture (NMM) alone

Painkillers and anxiolytics

Anxiolytics and NMM

Painkillers and NMM

Painkillers, anxiolytics and NMM

40 (100)

12 (30)

7 (17.5)

2 (5)

3 (7.5)

2 (5)

6 (15)

11 (27.5)

2 (5)

1 (2.5)

1 (2.5)

0 (0)

Professional who performed the procedure:

Senior physician

Junior physician

Medical student

6 (15)

27 (68)

7 (18)