Effect of Gorlin's Sign as an active distraction technique on pain and behavioral response in pediatric patients during intravenous cannulation

Introduction: Managing pain in hospitalized children is crucial, especially during painful procedures like intravenous cannulation. Distraction, both active and passive, has been employed as a nonpharmacological intervention. This study explores the efficacy of Gorlin’s sign, an active distraction technique involving touching the tip of the nose with the tongue, in mitigating pain during venous cannulation in pediatric surgical patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study with 100 children (5-10 years) undergoing elective surgery was conducted. The Gorlin sign was demonstrated before cannulation, and its impact on pain levels was assessed using the Wong Baker FACES Pain Scale. Vital signs, FLACC Behavioral Response Scale, and demographic data were recorded. Results: The mean age was 8.4±2, with 52.57% male and 47.43% female participants. The majority (96.91%) had successful first attempts at cannulation. Vital signs showed minimal variations. As per FLACC, 65.98% had mild behavioral responses, and 45.36% experienced mild pain according to the Wong Baker FACES Pain Scale. The Gorlin’s sign was highly acceptable, with 97.93% of children liking and enjoying the method. Conclusion: Gorlin's sign emerges as a simple, safe, and cost-effective distraction technique, significantly reducing pain during intravenous cannulation in children aged 5 to 10 years. Its high acceptability makes it a valuable addition to non-pharmacological interventions for pediatric pain management.