Paracervical compared with intracervical lidocaine for suction curettage: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pain Management
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• First-trimester suction curettage is a common gynecological procedure.
• Effective pain management is crucial for patient comfort and satisfaction during the procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of paracervical versus intracervical local anesthesia administration.
• To evaluate pain levels during first-trimester suction curettage using different anesthesia techniques.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• 132 women undergoing first-trimester suction curettage with conscious sedation were included.
• Pain was assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) at different procedural stages.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in VAS pain scores were found between paracervical and intracervical blocks.
• Pain scores during dilation (P=.72) and curettage (P=.16) were comparable for both administration routes.

Conclusions:

• Both paracervical and intracervical lidocaine offer equally effective analgesia for first-trimester suction curettage.
• Healthcare providers can confidently use either method for pain relief in this patient population.