Oral dexketoprofen for pain treatment during diagnostic hysteroscopy in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of dexketoprofen (DEX) in reducing pain at different stages of the hysteroscopic procedure in comparison with local anaesthesia in menopausal women.

METHODS

Menopausal patients affected by uterine bleeding submitted to diagnostic hysteroscopy, were randomised to receive either 25 mg DEX tablet (n = 148) or intracervical injection of 5 ml mepivacaine 2% (n = 150). Pain suffered during the procedure itself and 30, 60, 120 min after, was scored on the 11 point Visual Analogic Scale, recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

No statistical difference were noted during the procedure itself in both groups of treatment. Patients treated with DEX has significantly less postoperative pain.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX is not superior to mepivacaine in reducing the discomfort of the procedure but does significantly reduce postoperative pain.

Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.