The use of topical anesthesia in diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy
E Zupi1, A A Luciano, D Marconi
112 Viale Parioli, 00197 Rome, Italy.
Study Objective:
To determine whether the pain and discomfort of routine hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy to diagnose infertility and endometrial pathology can be minimized by topical application of mepivacaine.
Design:
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.
Setting:
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a teaching hospital in Rome, Italy.
Patients:
Eighteen women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy.
Interventions:
Hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy were performed after transcervical injection of 5 ml 2% mepivacaine or 5 ml saline solution into the uterine cavity.
Measurements And Main Results:
Difficulty introducing the hysteroscope was rated by the operator on a scale of 1 to 3. An observer scored visible signs of each woman's distress using a three-point scale. The patients reported their pain 15, 30, 60, 120 minutes after the procedure on a visual analog scale. Mepivacaine was more effective than placebo according to all measurements.
Conclusions:
Topical mepivacaine reduced the pain experienced during and after hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.
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