The effect of a prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitor, naproxen sodium, and a placebo on the pain response to carbon dioxide laser treatment of the uterine cervix

SummaryNinety-seven patients were entered into a randomised double blind study of a single dose of naproxen sodium, 550 mg, or placebo on the pain response to CO2 laser treatment of the cervix.No differences in the pain response during treatment were detected between the active and placebo treatment groups. During the 24 hours after treatment, fewer of the naproxen sodium group took additional analgesics and they also reported fewer complaints than patients given placebo.When asked about the possibility of having further laser treatment 2 out of 48 (4 per cent) of the naproxen group preferred to have general anaesthesia compared to 6 out of 47 (13 per cent) of the placebo group.Pre-treatment with naproxen sodium improves the patient's tolerance of laser treatment without general anaesthesia by reducing postoperative discomfort.