Comparing the efficacy of intrauterine lidocaine and paracervical block in decreasing the pain associated with endometrial biopsy: a randomised trial.

PURPOSE: Almost 50% of the patients experience moderate-to-severe pain during endometrial biopsy. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of intrauterine lidocaine for relieving pain during endometrial biopsy.

METHODS

A randomised trial was conducted in 120 patients undergoing endometrial biopsy. Sixty-seven women were assigned to the paracervical block group and 53 were assigned to the intrauterine lidocaine group. The main outcome measure was pain intensity, measured using the visual analogue scale, during and after the procedure.

RESULTS

The groups were similar with regard to age, body mass index, gravidity, total number of previous vaginal deliveries, menopausal status, and uterine depth. The pain scores immediately after the procedure were similar in the groups (p = 0.079). However, the pain scores 30 min after the procedure were significantly lower in the intrauterine group than in the paracervical group (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to paracervical block, intrauterine lidocaine may be the preferred anaesthesia for endometrial biopsy, and it does not cause any serious complications.