Para-cervical Block Prior to Laparoscopic Hysterectomy as an Adjuvant Treatment to Reduce Postoperative Pain.
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-06-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This is a prospective randomized controlled trial in which patients that are scheduled to
undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy would be allocated to one of two groups: Paracervical
block with local anesthetic (bupivacaine 0.5%), or placebo. This would be achieved using
block randomization. The intervention would be performed after the patient is under general
anesthesia, prior to starting the surgery. Patients would be consented in the office or
preoperative area (before receiving sedatives). As far as the intervention itself, it would
consist of injecting 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine into the cervical stroma at 3 and 9 o'clock,
which is standard technique for para-cervical block. The remainder of the procedure will then
continue in a regular fashion. Alternatively, patients in the control group will be injected
with 5 mL of normal saline. The surgeon would be blinded as to patient allocation. Research
staff will have previously prepared the formulations (saline or bupivacaine) and have sent
them to the operating room prior to beginning the procedure depending on assigned group. At
the end of the case, pain will be assessed using a visual analogue scale with a range from 0
to 10 by one of the researches who will also be blinded to the group. This will be done at 30
and 60 minutes after surgical stop time. Additional pain control in the postanesthesia care
unit (PACU) will be standardized to all patients.
Hypothesis:
Performing a para-cervical block with local anesthetic prior to a laparoscopic hysterectomy
significantly reduces pain after the procedure