title: Comparison of indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream on post-episiotomy pain: A randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most important problems after episiotomy is perineal pain which is more severe on the first day of postpartum period. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream in the management of post-episiotomy pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, controlled trial, 60 primiparous women who had mediolateral episiotomy received 50 mg indomethacin suppository (n = 30) or 2% lidocaine cream (n = 30) in the postpartum period in Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord (Iran). The mean severity of post-episiotomy pain was assessed with the first complaint and at 6, 12, and 24 h after the delivery, and compared in the two groups. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain recording and data were analyzed with independent-samples t-test, χ(2), and Fisher's exact tests, and significance was defined as P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the first complaint of pain, the mean intensity of pain was 4.9 (1.9) in the indomethacin group and 4.9 (1.8) in the lidocaine group, and the difference was not significant (P = 0.25). Six hours after birth, it was 3.3 (1.3) in the indomethacin group and 3.2 (1.9) in the lidocaine group, and there was not a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.90). No significant difference was found between the two groups at 12 h after birth [2.3 (1.7) vs 2.5 (1.7); P = 0.59]. Also, the difference was not significant at 24 h after birth [1.5 (1.3) vs 1.8 (1.3); P = 0.31].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded from the study that indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream have similar efficacy on episiotomy pain relief on the first day of postpartum period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delaram
authors.affiliation: Master of Science in Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges-Khaton
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Dadkhah
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Loabat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jafarzadeh
keywords: Episiotomy pain; indomethacin suppository; lidocaine cream; primiparous