Oz, M., Korkmaz, E., Cetinkaya, N., Bas, S., Ozdal, B., Meydanl, M.M., & Gungor, T. (2015). Comparison of topical lidocaine spray with placebo for pain relief in colposcopic procedures: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 19, 212–214. 

To evaluate the effectiveness of topical lidocaine spray for pain relief during cervical punch biopsies and endocervical curettage (ECC)

Women with abnormal cervical cytology requiring colposcopy-directed cervical biopsy with or without ECC were randomly assigned to receive 10% lidocaine or normal saline spray to the ectocervix prior to colposcopy.

• N = 214   
• MEAN AGE = 24.25 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• CURRENT TREATMENT: Not applicable

• SITE: Single site   
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: Turkey

• PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, controlled trail

• Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale

No significant difference in pain scores between groups was reported.

The use of sprayed local anesthetic prior to colposcopic punch biopsy did not reduce procedure-related pain.

• Measurement/methods not well described
• Measurement validity/reliability questionable
• Exactly when pain was measured is unclear.
• No subgroup analysis between those who also had ECC and those who did not

The use of a topical anesthetic spray prior to colposcopic procedures as studied here did not demonstrate effectiveness in reducing postprocedure pain. Further research is needed to determine the best approaches to reduce or eliminate pain associated with this type of procedure.