Background: The treatment of pain from episiotomy or from tearing of perineal tissues during childbirth is often unapplied, although discomfort may be severe. We performed a randomized double-blind controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and side-effects of two analgesics in the management of postpartum perineal pain. Patient preference toward the two medications was also analyzed.
Methods: A total of 261 women were randomly assigned to receive either Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine (100 mg) (n = 133) or Ketoprofen (100 mg) (n = 128), both given orally every 12 hr up to 48 hr, as necessary. Inclusion criteria were vaginal birth with episiotomy and/or a second- to third-degree tear. Pain ratings were recorded before the administration of the drugs and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 hr after the first dose, according to a 10-cm visual-analog scale. Side-effects and overall opinion on the two treatments were assessed at 24 hr.
Results: Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine and Ketoprofen had similar analgesic properties in the first 24 hr postpartum [mean pain rating 3.1 +/- 1.8 and 3.4 +/- 2.0, mean number of doses in 24 hr 1.4 +/- 1.4 and 1.3 +/- 1.5, and proportion of treatment failures 12.8% (17/133) and 16.4% (21/128), respectively]. Significantly fewer subjects in the Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine group than in the Ketoprofen group experienced side-effects (6.8% versus 15.6%; p = 0.038) with an odd risk = 0.39(95% C.I. 0.16-0.95). There were no significant differences in overall patient satisfaction between the two groups.
Conclusions: No main differences were found concerning the relief of pain between the two treatments. Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine may be the preferred choice because it is associated with less adverse reactions, together with a faster action in the relief of pain.