Paracervical block and elective abortion: The effect on pain of waiting between injection and procedure

Neva Phair, Jeff T. Jensen, Mark D. Nichols

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the effect on pain and patient satisfaction of waiting between paracervical block and dilation during first-trimester abortions. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred ninety-nine women seeking pregnancy termination were randomly assigned to a no-wait group (group 1) and a 3- to 5-minute wait between injection and dilation group (group 2). Subjects rated their pain on a visual analog scale at four times: prior to procedure, with dilation, with aspiration, and 30 to 45 minutes after procedure. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in pain or satisfaction ratings reported by group 1 (n = 93) and group 2 (n = 101). A significant decrease in pain with dilation (1.21 cm decrease, P = .009) and aspiration (1.15 cm decrease, P = .0015) was observed among patients who received fentanyl. CONCLUSION: Delay between paracervical injection and dilation during first-trimester abortion does not have an impact on patient pain or satisfaction. Fentanyl decreased pain scores by 20% to 25% during the procedure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number00035
Pages (from-to)1304-1307
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume186
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Fentanyl
  • First-trimester abortion
  • Pain
  • Paracervical block
  • Patient satisfaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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