Study looking at which local anaesthetic method (KAPT or paracervical) provides better pain relief for women attending the hysteroscopy clinic

ISRCTN ISRCTN15619382
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15619382
IRAS number 339976
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 339976, REC 24/EM/0036
Submission date
01/09/2024
Registration date
05/09/2024
Last edited
05/09/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Urological and Genital Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
A hysteroscopy is a test to look inside a woman's womb using a thin tube with a small camera inside it. This study aims to evaluate and compare the pain scores of women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy when administered either the KAPT block or paracervical block, with an emphasis on understanding the relative effectiveness of these two anaesthetic techniques at critical stages of the outpatient hysteroscopy procedure: during cervical dilatation, throughout the procedure, and 10 minutes after the procedure.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 years and over attending outpatient hysteroscopy,

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly divided into two equal groups. One group will have a paracervical block and the other group will have a KAPT block. A questionnaire will be handed over during and after the procedure to assess pain and determine the effectiveness of each anaesthetic technique.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no additional risks associated with taking part in the study. However, there are some minor side effects of the procedures and these will be covered in the procedure consent process. For example, patients may experience a sharp scratch during administration of the local anaesthetic due to the injection needle. Some patients may experience some side effects of the local anaesthetic including tingling sensation, headaches, dizziness and visual disturbances. These are very rare and temporary and usually wear off within a few minutes.

Where is the study run from?
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2023 to August 2024

Who is funding the study?
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Raphael Laiyemo, raphael.laiyemo@nhs.net

Contact information

Dr Raphael Laiyemo
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Kingsmill Hospital
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sutton-in Ashfield
NG17 4JL
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1623622515
Email raphael.laiyemo@nhs.net

Study information

Study designSingle-centre interventional single-blind randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeEfficacy
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleComparative analysis of pain relief between KAPT block and paracervical block for outpatient hysteroscopy procedures at Kings Mill Hospital: the KAPT-PARA block trial
Study acronymKAPT-PARA block
Study hypothesisTo determine which method, KAPT block or paracervical block, offers superior pain relief at critical stages of the outpatient hysteroscopy procedure: during cervical dilatation, throughout the procedure, and 10 minutes post-procedure. This will involve a detailed analysis of pain scores at these specific time intervals.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 05/06/2024, Health Research Authority (HRA), Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)2071048115; approvals@hra.nhs.uk), ref: IRAS 339976, REC 24/EM/0036

ConditionOutpatient hysteroscopy procedures
InterventionParacervical Block for Outpatient Hysteroscopy Procedures is based on two key anaesthesia techniques:
1. KAPT Block: A sophisticated block targeting the Lee-Frankenhauser plexus, KAPT Block is effective in denervating the cervix and fundus. Its efficacy, demonstrated through observational studies, shows promising pain relief outcomes in outpatient hysteroscopy.
2. Paracervical Block (PCB): A commonly used technique in outpatient hysteroscopy, PCB's effectiveness is supported by a meta-analysis showing significant pain reduction. Although its superiority is debated, it remains a preferred method for pain control in these procedures.
The study aims to compare effectiveness in pain management for outpatient hysteroscopy, thus addressing the gaps in current understanding and practice.

Paracervical Block Technique:
The primary technique involves injecting 10ml of Citanest into the cervical stroma at the cervicovaginal junction. This can be done in two ways:
Four-point injection at 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock positions.
Two-point injection at 4 and 8 o'clock positions only.

KAPT Block Technique: 10 ml of Citanest
1. Inject 0.2 ml of Citanest directly into the cervical stroma at 6 and 12 o'clock to facilitate grasping with a tenaculum.
2. Measure 3 cm inferolateral from the external os towards 5 and 7 o'clock on both sides using a Pipelle sampler to locate the Lee-Frankenhauser plexus in the Uterosacral Ligament Complex (USLC).
3. Perform an inject-withdrawal technique, injecting a total of 4 ml at the measured sites on each side, distributed as follows:
3.1. 2 ml directly (Anterior to Posterior) at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock. Sideways elevation of the lower lip of the cervix with a tenaculum can facilitate this step.
3.2. 2 ml from the medial to the lateral aspect at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock, angling the syringe slightly for ease.
3.3. The depth of injection should be 25 mm, approximately ¾ of the length of the dental syringe needle.
4. The objective is to infiltrate the LF plexus in both the supero-inferior and lateral planes.
5. Allow a pause of at least 3 minutes before commencing the procedure.

Research Question/Aim(s):
How do the pain relief outcomes of the King's Mill Anterior-Posterior and Transverse (KAPT) Block compare to the Paracervical Block in women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy procedures

Objectives
1. To conduct a randomised control trial evaluating and comparing the pain scores of women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy when administered either the KAPT Block or the Paracervical Block.
2. To determine which method, KAPT Block or Paracervical Block, offers superior pain relief at critical stages of the outpatient hysteroscopy procedure: during cervical dilatation, throughout the procedure, and 10 minutes post-procedure, through detailed analysis of pain scores at these specific intervals.
The outpatient hysteroscopy procedures will include:
Myosure removal of polyps
Myosure removal of fibroids
Thermablate endometrial ablation

This study will be a randomized control trial, comparing the efficacy of KAPT Block and Paracervical Block in outpatient hysteroscopy. This approach will provide robust, comparative data on the effectiveness of these anaesthetic techniques.

Data Collection Methods:
Patient Questionnaires with Visual Pain Score: Patients will complete questionnaires with a visual analogue scale (VAS) 0 to 10 score to self-report their pain levels at various stages of the procedure (during cervical dilatation, the procedure itself, and 10 minutes post-procedure). This method allows for direct, objective assessment of pain from the patient's perspective.

Data Analysis Methods:
Quantitative Analysis: The collected pain scores will be statistically analysed to determine the effectiveness of each anaesthetic technique. This analysis will involve comparing mean pain scores and assessing variations in pain experiences among patients.

Data Management:
Data will be de-identified to maintain patient confidentiality.
Electronic data will be securely stored and encrypted. Only authorized personnel will have access.
Hard copies, if any, will be kept in a secure location.
After the study, data will be archived as per institutional and legal guidelines.
Software: Statistical software will be used for quantitative data analysis.

Patient Public Involvement (PPI)
PPI groups have been involved with the study proposal process. A number of patients were asked specific questions regarding the study design and purpose. All information has been stored for future reference and publication.

A total of 10 patients were approached to complete a short questionnaire. The answers to the questionnaire concluded that 100 percent of patients agreed that the study would be beneficial and is an important subject. The vast majority of patients stated they would participate in the study and the information provided is clear and concise.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measure Pain measured using the visual analogue score (VAS), during the procedure and 10 minutes after completion of the procedure
Secondary outcome measuresPatient comfort and tolerability will be assessed by asking patients after each method by answering YES or NO in a questionnaire format if they will recommend it to others and if they were satisfied with the pain relief method provided
Overall study start date18/10/2023
Overall study end date12/08/2024

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit100 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants48
Total final enrolment48
Participant inclusion criteria1. Women attending outpatient hysteroscopy procedures at Kings Mill Hospital
2. Age 18 years and above
3. Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent
Participant exclusion criteria1. Women with known contraindications to local anaesthetics
2. Women with a history of allergic reactions to the anaesthetics used
Recruitment start date25/06/2024
Recruitment end date12/08/2024

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Kings Mill Hospital
Mansfield Road
Sutton-in-ashfield
NG17 4JL
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Mansfield Road
Mansfield
NG17 4JL
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1246622515 x 6929
Email sfh-tr.researchandinnovation@nhs.net
Website http://www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04ce87537

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date12/08/2025
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in publicly available repository, Published as a supplement to the results publication
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and /or analysed during the current study will be stored in a publicly available repository

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol file version 3.0 16/04/2024 05/09/2024 No No

Additional files

46021_PROTOCOL_V3.0_16Apr24.pdf

Editorial Notes

02/09/2024: Study's existence confirmed by the HRA.