[Evaluation of pain in diagnostic hysteroscopy by vaginoscopy using normal saline at body temperature as distension medium: a randomized controlled trial].
OBJECTIVE
to compare diagnostic hysteroscopy through vaginoscopy, using warm saline solution, with traditional technique, regarding to pain, patient satisfaction and feasibility of the procedure.


METHODS
randomized clinical trial, involving 184 women, referred for diagnostic hysteroscopy, between May and December of 2006. Participants were randomized to be submitted to hysteroscopy by the proposed technique, which consisted of access through vaginoscopy using normal saline at 36 degrees C as distension medium, no speculum or cervical grasping, or by the traditional technique with CO2. In both techniques, a 2.7 mm hysteroscope was used. Pain was assessed by the analogical visual scale, during the procedure and every five minutes after it.


RESULTS
the mean pain score was 1.60 in the proposed technique and 3.39 in the traditional technique (p<0.01). Lower pain scores were also observed after 5, 10 and 15 minutes (p<0,01) as well as after 20 minutes (p=0.056). In the proposed technique, 82.4% of the procedures were feasible, while, in the traditional technique, 84.9% were so (p=0.64). Satisfaction with the procedure was referred by 88.7% of women submitted to the proposed technique and by 76.3% of women submitted to the traditional technique (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
diagnostic hysteroscopy by the proposed technique resulted in less pain, same feasibility and greater satisfaction of patients.
Almeida
Zares Maria Melo Cavalcanti de
ZM
Maternidade Bandeira Filho, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Pontes
Rosângela
R
Costa
Hélio de Lima Ferreira Fernandes
Hde L
D001831:Body Temperature; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014621:Vagina
D012965:Sodium Chloride