The prophylactic use of diclofenac (Voltarol) suppositories in perineal pain after episiotomy. A random allocation double-blind study

Abstract

One hundred and ten patients who had episiotomies to aid normal vaginal delivery without epidural analgesia were = allocated at random to receive either diclofenac (n = 56) or = placebo (n = 54) suppositories. Pain after episiotomy was assessed at 24 and 48 hours using a combination of a visual analogue scale, a modified pain score and a review of additional analgesia required. All patients in both groups were allowed routine hospital analgesia on request. Our data suggests that very few patients suffered severe pain, even in the placebo group. However, the prophylactic use of diclofenac suppositories significantly reduced perineal pain in the first 24 hours, although the difference was less marked by 48 hours. Overall additional analgesia requirement was correspondingly less in the diclofenac group.