Buffered lidocaine for paracervical blocks in first-trimester abortions: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate if buffered lidocaine decreases injection pain as compared to plain lidocaine for paracervical blocks during first-trimester outpatient surgical abortions. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among women undergoing outpatient uterine aspiration of a first-trimester pregnancy or an early pregnancy loss. Subjects received a paracervical block with either lidocaine 1% 20 mL or lidocaine 1% 18 mL plus sodium bicarbonate 8.4% 2 mL. The primary outcome was pain from injection of the paracervical block measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included pain after cervical dilation, uterine aspiration and overall satisfaction with pain control. Scores were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. We aimed to detect a 15-mm difference in pain from injection of the paracervical block. RESULTS: From May 2017 to October 2018, 48 women received plain lidocaine and 50 women received buffered lidocaine. Groups were similar in demographics. We found no clinically or statistically meaningful difference in pain when evaluating median VAS scores for paracervical block injection between the buffered and plain lidocaine [30.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 15.3–64.5); 44.5 (IQR 18.3–65), respectively, p = .32]. We found no difference in secondary outcomes between buffered and plain lidocaine. CONCLUSION: Buffered lidocaine for paracervical blocks in first-trimester outpatient surgical abortions does not decrease injection pain as compared to plain lidocaine. IMPLICATIONS STATEMENT: Buffering the paracervical block in first-trimester outpatient surgical abortions does not decrease injection pain as compared to plain lidocaine, nor does it increase patient satisfaction. Eliminating sodium bicarbonate allows for a more cost-effective and readily available solution for paracervical blocks.