Effectiveness of paracervical block in endometrial sampling procedures for pain control: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of paracervical block (PCB) on endometrial sampling procedures, to assess the effect on pain of waiting between PCB and intervention, and to compare the effectiveness of PCB with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for decreasing the pain levels associated with endometrial biopsy.

Material And Methods: A total of 123 participants were divided into four groups as Group 1: Waiting 1 minute after PCB, Group 2: Waiting 3 minute after PCB, Group 3: Control group, and Group 4: Waiting 60 minute after taking oral NSAIDs. The success of analgesic measures used for endometrial biopsy during and 30 minutes after the procedure was compared with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) system.

Results: The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 0 score was 2.60 (± 2.42) in Group 1; 1.60 (± 1.73) in Group 2; 5.30 (± 2.10) in Groups 3; 5.63 (± 1.99) in Groups 4. NPRS 30 score was 0.80 (± 0.88) in Group 1; 0.43 (± 0.81) in Group 2; 1.90 (± 1.32) in Groups 3; 2.70 (± 1.41) in Groups 4. The pain was significantly less in the paracervical block groups compared to control and oral NSAIDs groups. However, there was no significant difference in NPRS 0 (p = 0.196) and NPRS 30 (p = 0.191) scores between Group 1 and Group 2. There was no significant difference in NPRS 0 and NPRS 30 scores between control group and oral NSAID group.

Conclusions: Paracervical block (PCB) is an effective method and superior to oral NSAIDs. Waiting 1 minute or 3 minutes after PCB were equally effective.