Tramadol Versus Celecoxib for Reducing Pain Associated With Outpatient Hysteroscopy: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Hysteroscopic examination is currently the most informative investigation for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility. Outpatient hysteroscopy involves the use of miniaturized endoscopic equipment to directly visualise the endometrial cavity, without the need of formal theatre facilities, general or regional anaesthesia.

Outpatient hysteroscopy is increasingly being used as a cost-effective alternative to in-patient hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia. Like other outpatient gynaecological procedures, however, it has the potential to cause pain severe enough for the procedure to be abandoned.

Several drugs have been used to reduce pain during the procedure. Celecoxib is a highly selective Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (COX-2 inhibitor) whereas other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, and Naproxen inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is the only isoenzyme found in platelets, and plays a role in the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa, renal hemodynamics, and platelet thrombogenesis. In theory, this selectivity allows celecoxib and other COX-2 inhibitors to reduce inflammation and pain while minimizing gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions. COX-1 is involved in synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane, but COX-2 is only involved in the synthesis of prostaglandin. Therefore, inhibition of COX-2 inhibits only prostaglandin synthesis without affecting thromboxane, so offers no cardioprotective effects of nonselective NSAIDs .

Opioid analgesics are widely used for the control of moderate to severe pain. Tramadol hydrochloride, a synthetic opioid is an orally active, clinically effective centrally acting analgesic having a lower incidence of respiratory depression, cardiac depression, side effects on smooth muscle and abuse potential as compared to typical opioid agents.

The study will be conducted in the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in Cairo university hospitals. All patients attending the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic will be invited to participate in the study. The invitation will include a clear full explanation of the study and patients will provide oral consent. Written informed consent is not needed since the procedure and intervention carries almost no risk to the patient and the patient will not receive anesthesia and will be fully conscious. Only patients consenting verbally to participate will be included in the trial.