The Location of Needle Insertion Effect on Maternal Pain in Amniocentesis
Navamol Lekskul MD*, Yuen Tannirandorn MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chulalongkorn University
Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal pain in amniocentesis was associated
with the location of needle insertion and other identifiable clinical correlates.
Materials and Methods : This prospective study of mid-trimester amniocentesis was conducted between October
2005 and December 2005. Women were asked to complete a visual analog scale (VAS) after the amniocentesis.
The distance from uterine fundus to symphysis pubis and from the location of needle insertion to symphysis
pubis were measured and calculated to divide the insertion into two groups: upper third and middle third. The
effect of previous amniocentesis, previous abdominal surgery, needle insertion through placenta and operators’
experience was determined. The t-test was used for analysis; a probability value of < 0.05 was considered
significant.
Results : Seventy-two women were participated in the study. The mean VAS was 2.7 + 2.1. The perception of
pain was significantly less in patients with the upper-third insertion as compared with the middle third
insertion (VAS 2.2 vs 3.9, p = 0.002). Previous amniocentesis, previous abdominal surgery, needle insertion
through placenta and operators’ experience had no impact on pain intensity.
Conclusion : The pain from amniocentesis was significantly less in the patients with the needle insertion in the
upper third of the uterus.
Keywords : Pain, Amniocentesis
