COMPARISON OF 2 LOCAL-ANESTHETICS IN TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED OOCYTE RETRIEVAL

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval is an accepted procedu re in most in-vitro fertilization programmes. In order to simplify the anaesthetic procedure into a minimally invasive one, we perform the o ocyte retrieval under a modified para-cervical block combined with a s tandard pre-medication. In order to maximize the patient's comfort we evaluated two different local anaesthetics and their side-effects. Pat ients were allocated at random to receive a modified para-cervical blo ck with mepivacaine 1% (n = 46) or with prilocaine 1% (n = 54). The pa tients were asked to fill in a visual analogue scale (VAS) including a ssessment of anxiety, pain and comfort concerning the procedure. The t wo local anaesthetics were both effective in reducing pain during tran svaginal oocyte retrieval. The mean VAS scores were acceptable and wer e efficient as indicators of patient's comfort during the procedure. M epivacaine was selected for routine use since prilocaine induced metha emoglobinaemia.