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Methoxyflurane analgesia for outpatient intrauterine device insertio

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Intrauterine device insertion
Pain relief
Reproductive Health and Childbirth - Contraception
Anaesthesiology - Pain management
Registration Number
ACTRN12620000810910
Lead Sponsor
Royal Women's Hospital
Brief Summary

While intrauterine devices (IUDs) are amongst the most reliable contraceptives, inserting them can be painful. We try to reduce this pain, but there is no strong evidence to support any of the medicines we currently use. Methoxyflurane is an inhaled pain relief which is commonly used for other surgical procedures when awake, but it has not yet been tested for its suitability for patients having gynaecological procedures. We performed a pilot study (a preliminary investigation) to ask 30 patients using methoxyflurane during IUD insertion about their experience. Our results are: 1. 97% of patients using methoxyflurane for IUD insertion felt that the using the drug was 'completely acceptable'. The remaining 3% said it was 'mostly acceptable. The same 97% said 'definitely yes' to whether they would want it in the same situation again. The remaining 3% said they were 'not sure'. 2. The average pain score of these patients when describing the 'worst pain' during the IUD insertion was 47/100. 3. The most common side effect was dizziness/light headedness and it was experienced by 27% of patients (9 people). 8/9 graded this symptom as mild, 1/9 called it moderate. Other side effects included euphoria in 18% (feeling high) or an irritated throat in 6%. In conclusion, methoxyflurane was highly acceptable for our 30 patients having IUDs inserted. It is now suitable for us to perform more studies to measure the degree of benefit.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Completed
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria

Adults undergoing outpatient intrauterine device insertion

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speaking, had any contraindication to an IUD insertion including cervical disease, pregnancy, abnormal bleeding of unknown diagnosis, active pelvic inflammatory disease, or had a history of renal disease/impairment, a known hypersensitivity to fluorinated anaesthetics, a history of cardiovascular instability including patients on beta-blockers (as may cause hypotension), and a history of possible adverse events (AEs)/intolerance to methoxyflurane

Study & Design

Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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