Suppression of pelvic pain during hysteroscopy with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain control method during office hysteroscopy.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Gynecological Science and Perinatology, "La Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.


METHODS
One hundred forty-two patients undergoing office hysteroscopy.


METHODS
Application of a TENS device on the patient's abdomen before and during office hysteroscopy.


METHODS
The level of pain experienced by the patients was assessed using a 10 cm visual analog scale; the side effects and changes in the hemodynamic parameters were evaluated.


RESULTS
The patients treated with TENS during hysteroscopy (group A, n = 71) were compared with a control group (group B, n = 71) on whom the TENS device was not used. The women in the TENS group experienced a significantly lower level of pain during hysteroscopy. No differences in side effects were observed between both group.


CONCLUSIONS
TENS is a simple, efficient, and safe method of relieve pain during office hysteroscopy.
De Angelis
Carlo
C
Department of Gynecological Science and Perinatology, Policlinico Umberto I, University of Rome La Sapienza., Italy. cdeangelis@tiscalinet.it
Perrone
Giuseppina
G
Santoro
Giuseppina
G
Nofroni
Italo
I
Zichella
Lucio
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*