Topical anesthesia for hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical anesthesia in reducing pain and the frequency of vasovagal reactions during diagnostic hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.


METHODS
A university hospital.


METHODS
Forty-two postmenopausal women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.


METHODS
Two milliliters of 2% mepivacaine or saline solution was injected transcervically into the uterine cavity before performing the procedures.


RESULTS
Pain was evaluated on a visual analog scale, and heart rate and blood pressure were monitored continuously. Anesthesia reduced the pain experienced at hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy, but not significantly. The frequency of vasovagal reactions was significantly lower in the anesthetized group.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical anesthesia effectively prevents the occurrence of vasovagal reactions in postmenopausal women undergoing hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.
Cicinelli
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Didonna
T
T
Fiore
G
G
Parisi
C
C
Matteo
M G
MG
Castrovilli
G
G
D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001706:Biopsy; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008619:Mepivacaine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017698:Postmenopause; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008619:Mepivacaine