title: Randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of topical lidocaine gel and intrauterine lidocaine infusion for pain relief during saline contrast sonohysterography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of topical lidocaine gel and intrauterine lidocaine infusion administered prior to saline contrast sonohysterography (SCSH) in reducing pain level during the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. We recruited 120 women scheduled to undergo SCSH and randomized them into one of three groups according to administration of gel and intrauterine infusion immediately prior to the procedure: (1) the 'lidocaine gel' group received 3 mL 2% lidocaine gel applied to the cervix and intrauterine infusion, using an infant feeding tube without balloon, of 5 mL normal saline; (2) the 'lidocaine infusion' group received 3 mL gel lubricant applied to the cervix and intrauterine infusion of 5 mL 2% lidocaine; (3) the placebo group received 3 mL gel lubricant applied to the cervix and intrauterine infusion of 5 mL normal saline. The tube was left in place for the SCSH procedure. The primary outcome measure was the overall pain level (on a scale of 0-100) reported by the women during the SCSH procedure. Women also rated their pain levels at various other time points and an observer assessed visible signs of the women's discomfort during the procedure, producing a distress score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences among the three groups in baseline characteristics, volume of saline solution infused, tenaculum use and duration and difficulty level of the SCSH procedure. The median (range) pain scores during normal saline infusion for the SCSH procedure were 0 (0-65) in the placebo group, 2.5 (0-80) in the lidocaine gel group, and 0 (0-70) in the lidocaine infusion group. The pain scores at other time points, the overall pain score and the distress score were also comparable for the three groups. No significant adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCSH performed with an infant feeding tube without balloon is associated with very low pain levels. Topical lidocaine gel application and intrauterine lidocaine infusion do not further reduce pain levels during SCSH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: S S F
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: V C Y
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: R H W
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: E H Y
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D003287:Contrast Media; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D003287:Contrast Media; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D008012:Lidocaine
keywords: intrauterine lidocaine; lidocaine gel; pain relief; saline contrast sonohysterography; saline infusion sonogram