Anesthetic effect of intrauterine lidocaine plus naproxen sodium in endometrial biopsy.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of intrauterine lidocaine with oral naproxen sodium on pain perception of the patients during endometrial biopsy using the Pipelle instrument and to investigate their effects when used in combination.

METHODS

One-hundred twenty women were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mL of intrauterine 2% lidocaine or saline and either 550 mg of naproxen sodium or a similar-appearing placebo tablet. Subsequently, each woman completed a 10-cm visual analog scale for subjective pain experience and a physician scored visible signs of the women's distress during the procedure using a 3-point observer scale.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the 4 groups in age, vaginal parity, history of chronic pelvic pain, menopausal status, tenaculum use, previous endometrial biopsy, or difficulty in passing the cervical os. The mean pain scores of the women in the naproxen only (5.8 +/- 2.2) and lidocaine only (5.9 +/- 2.2) groups were not significantly different compared with placebo group (7.1 +/- 2.0). However, the mean pain score in the lidocaine plus naproxen group (4.6 +/- 1.8) compared with the placebo group showed significant reduction in pain (P <.05). Pain rated by the physician was significantly lower in the lidocaine plus naproxen group compared with other groups, and a significant correlation was noted between the visual analog pain score and the patients' distress recorded by the physician (r =.791, P <.001). One patient in the naproxen-only group had vasovagal syncope after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine lidocaine instillation significantly decreases pain associated with Pipelle endometrial biopsy when used in combination with oral naproxen sodium.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I