Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of topically applied lidocaine-prilocaine (EMLA) cream with local anesthetic infiltration in the reduction of pain during perineal suturing after childbirth. Study Design: Sixty-one women with either an episiotomy or a perineal laceration after vaginal delivery were assigned randomly to receive either the application of EMLA cream (n = 31) or infiltration with mepivacaine (n = 30) before perineal suturing. Primary outcome was pain during perineal repair. Results: Women in the EMLA group had lower pain scores than those in the mepivacaine group (1.7 ± 2.4 vs 3.9 ± 2.4; P = .0002). The proportion of women who needed additional anesthesia was similar in the 2 groups (3/30 vs 5/31; P = .71). A significantly higher proportion of women expressed satisfaction with anesthesia method in the EMLA group, compared with the mepivacaine group (83.8% vs 53.3%; P = .01). Conclusion: EMLA cream appears to be an effective and satisfactory alternative to local anesthetic infiltration for the relief of pain during perineal repair.
Original language | English |
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Journal | American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Volume | 201 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2009 |
Keywords
- EMLA
- lidocaine-prilocaine cream
- pain
- perineal suturing
- vaginal delivery
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology