Atraumatic cervical passage at outpatient hysteroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of topical anesthesia routinely administered to reduce discomfort and the need for additional local anesthesia during outpatient hysteroscopy.


METHODS
Comparative observational study.


METHODS
Outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a University hospital.


METHODS
Three hundred patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy.


METHODS
Application of lidocaine spray both to the surface of the cervix and into the cervical canal before performing hysteroscopy.


METHODS
The discomfort during passage of the hysteroscope through the cervical canal, the need for additional local anesthesia, and the failure rate of outpatient hysteroscopy.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty consecutive patients receiving lidocaine spray before the hysteroscopy were compared to a control group of another 150 consecutive patients who underwent the examination without pretreatment. Women treated with spray experienced significantly less pain at insertion of the hysteroscope. Furthermore, the spray significantly reduced both the need for additional anesthesia and the rate of failed hysteroscopies due to intolerable pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical anesthesia with lidocaine spray is a simple method to alleviate patients' discomfort during cervical passage. It is effective in reducing the need for local anesthesia and should reduce the rate of failed outpatient hysteroscopies.
Wieser
F
F
University Hospital of Vienna, Minimally Access Surgery Unit, Austria.
Kurz
C
C
Wenzl
R
R
Albrecht
A
A
Huber
J C
JC
Nagele
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine