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Pain Relief for Hysterosalpingography: A Randomized Controlled, Double Blinded Trial Comparing Suppository Diclofenac, Prilocaine/Lignocaine (EMLA) Cream And Placebo

Background: Hysterosalpingography is dreaded by women due to pain. Pain intensity varies with different stages of the procedure and the search for an effective analgesia continues. 
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of suppository diclofenac (100mg), cervical lidocaine 25mg -prilocaine 25mg cream (5% EMLA) and placebo in pain relief for hysterosalpingography. 
Methodology: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study conducted at National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria, between November 2018 and March 2019. Participants were allocated to three groups (A, B, C). Group A received suppository diclofenac 100mg plus placebo cream, group B got EMLA cream plus placebo suppository while group C received placebo suppository and cream. Pain levels were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline, during 4 different stages of the procedure, at 30 minutes and 24 hours after the procedure. Patients' satisfaction and side effects were also assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). P value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was regarded as statistically significant. 
Results: The most painful step of the procedure was during uterine distension with contrast medium with mean VAS score of 6.33±1.539, 5.37±1.377, 7.03±1.245 in group A, B and C, respectively (p-value <0.05). Mean pain scores during 4 steps of the procedure were found to be significantly lower in EMLA group. Intervention groups were also more satisfied after the procedure. 
Conclusion: EMLA 5% cream is a more effective analgesic for HSG compared to both diclofenac and placebo. 
Keywords: Analgesia; EMLA; diclofenac; hysterosalpingography; visual analogue scale.