Pain relief in hysterosalpingography
Abstract
Background
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a method of testing for tubal patency. Various pharmacological strategies are available that may reduce the pain during the procedure.
Objectives
To compare the effectiveness of different types of pharmacological interventions for pain relief in women undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG) for investigation of subfertility.
Search methods
This review has drawn on the search strategy developed for the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group. In addition MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to July 2006.
Selection criteria
All randomised controlled trials investigating the pharmacological interventions for pain relief during HSG were investigated.
Data collection and analysis
Data were extracted independently by the first two authors. Differences of opinion were registered and resolved by the third author. Results for each study were expressed as mean pain score and standard error of the mean with 95% confidence intervals.
Main results
The included eight trials reported on 570 women undergoing HSG.
Overall, there was no evidence of benefit of using any analgesia compared with placebo for pain relief during the procedure (standard mean difference (SMD) of ‐0.05 (95%CI ‐0.25 to 0.14) or up to 29 minutes after HSG SMD 0.17, (95%CI ‐1.00 to 1.34)).
Four RCTs involving 219 women found evidence of benefit with any analgesia in comparison to placebo for pain relief more than 30 minutes after HSG, with the SMD of ‐0.82(95%CI‐1.18 to ‐0.45).
One RCT involving 91 women compared the effectiveness of opioid analgesics versus non‐opioid analgesics and reported no evidence of difference in pain relief at any stage of the procedure.
One RCT involving 20 women compared the use of topical analgesia with a paracervical block, with analysis demonstrating more benefit to be gained from using topical analgesia during HSG, with the SMD of ‐2.03 (95%Cl‐3.16 to ‐0.91).
Authors' conclusions
There is little evidence of benefit in terms of pain relief of any of the interventions considered in this study during or immediately after HSG. However, there is limited evidence of pain reduction 30 minutes after the procedure. Further RCTs should consider the role of non steroidal antiinflammatories (NSAIDs) and intrauterine anaesthetic during HSG.
PICOs
Plain language summary
Pain relief in hysterosalpingography
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a test frequently undertaken to find out whether or not the fallopian tubes are open in the investigation of infertility. Hysterosalpingography involves a dye being injected via the cervix and uterus into the fallopian tubes which enables them to be visualised using an x‐ray. This can be a painful procedure. The purpose of this review is to determine which if any pain relief drug should be used during HSG.
Analysis of the studies found no evidence of benefit of using any pain relief medication compared to not using pain relief medication during the procedure or up to 29 minutes after HSG. Analysis also revealed a beneficial effect of using pain relief 30 minutes after the procedure.
