Oral Analgesia vs Intravenous Conscious Sedation during Essure Micro-Insert Sterilization Procedure: Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Study Objective: To compare the pain reported by patients during the Essure Micro-Insert sterilization procedure using either intravenous conscious sedation or oral analgesia. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification 1). Setting: Tertiary care ambulatory women's clinic. Patients: Eighty women of reproductive age women requesting permanent sterilization. Intervention: Hysteroscopic placement of the Essure Micro-Insert permanent birth control system. Measurements and Main Results: Patients undergoing placement of the Essure Micro-Insert system for permanent contraception were randomized to receive either intravenous conscious sedation, oral analgesia, or placebo. During the procedure, pain scores were recorded using a visual analog scale. Patients in the oral analgesia group reported slightly more pain during insertion of the hysteroscope and placement of the second micro-insert; the groups were otherwise equivalent. They were also equivalent when all visual analog scale scores were combined. Conclusion: Oral analgesia is an effective method of pain control during placement of the Essure Micro-Insert permanent birth control system. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2011) 18, 108-111 (C) 2011 AAGL. All rights reserved.