Aparacervical block is ananesthetic procedure used inobstetrics and gynecology, in which alocal anesthetic is injected into between two and six sites at a depth of 3–7 mm alongside thevaginal portion of the cervix in thevaginal fornices.[1] In the United States, the paracervical block is underutilized during insertion ofintrauterine devices (IUDs). There is speculation that this is related to the disproportionate under-researching of women's health.[2]
It is used for various obstetric and gynecologic procedures, such ashysteroscopy andvacuum aspiration.It is as efficient asintracervical block, according to a study on women undergoingvacuum aspiration withlidocaine as anesthetic agent.[3]
The majority of surgical abortions in the United States are performed with a paracervical block with or without the addition of other pain medications. The best specific technique has yet to be defined and there is still a lot of procedure related pain.[4] The choice of the best anesthesia depends on patient preference and resources available.[4]
In addition, a paracervical block may be permormed by a wide variety of clinications including family medicine practitionor, advanced practitionors and RN's.[5]
Addition ofketorolac may offer added benefit of improved pain control.[6]