A comparison of the side effects of prilocaine with felypressin and lignocaine with adrenaline in large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix: results of a randomised trial.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that prilocaine with felypressin causes fewer side effects than lignocaine with adrenaline when performing large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix.

Design: Randomised trial.

Setting: Colposcopy clinic in a large district general hospital.

Participants: Two hundred consecutive women undergoing large loop excision of the transformation zone of the cervix.

Methods: Two different local anaesthetic combinations (prilocaine with felypressin and lignocaine with adrenaline) were compared in women undergoing large loop excision of the transformation zone. Prospective collection of clinical and treatment data was undertaken with scoring using an ordinal scale of pain experienced by the women during the procedure. Peri-operative blood loss and any side effects were also recorded.

Main Outcome Measures: Side effects associated with the local anaesthetic agents.

Results: Lignocaine with adrenaline resulted in less blood loss (P = 0.006) but was more likely to cause side effects, such as feeling faint (P = 0.017) and shaking (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Prilocaine with felypressin causes fewer side effects than lignocaine with adrenaline and is therefore the preferred local anaesthetic combination for large loop excision of the transformation zone.