Use of sublingual buprenorphine for pain relief in office hysteroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of sublingual buprenorphine in the relief of pain associated with office hysteroscopy.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I).


METHODS
Tertiary medical center.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-four women referred for office hysteroscopy from September 2003 through March 2004.


METHODS
Before hysteroscopy, 80 women received a tablet of buprenorphine (group A), and 84 women received a placebo (group B). Their pain sensations were evaluated on a 10-cm visual analog scale, and they were asked about the adverse reactions and level of satisfaction on the following day.


RESULTS
The pain score in group A was 3.3 +/- 1.1, which was similar to 3.2 +/- 1.3 in group B. The pain scores in subgroups of women also were similar within the same group and between the two groups. Thirty-one women (38.8%) in group A reported adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, while none in group B reported any adverse reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Office hysteroscopy with a 3.1-mm flexible hysteroscope is a well-tolerated procedure. Sublingual buprenorphine is not helpful in relieving the pain associated with hysteroscopy but is associated with significant adverse reactions.
Lin
Yu-Hung
YH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital Taipei 777, Taiwan.
Hwang
Jiann-Loung
JL
Huang
Lee-Wen
LW
Chen
Heng-Ju
HJ
D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine