Does Ultrasound Guidance Provide Pain Relief during Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Insertion? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ultrasound guidance effect in pain relief during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

METHODS: Four different databases were searched from inception till June 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared transabdominal ultrasound guidance versus traditional non-guided IUD insertion among women undergoing IUD placement for contraception. We used Revman software during performing our meta-analysis. Our primary outcome was the pain score during IUD insertion as evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Our secondary outcomes were the procedure insertion time, satisfaction, and incidences of complications and misplaced IUDs.

RESULTS: Seven RCTs were retrieved with a total number of 1267 patients. There was a significant reduction in the VAS pain score during IUD insertion among the ultrasound-guided group (MD = -1.91, 95% CI [-3.08, -0.73], P = .001). The procedure insertion time was significantly shorter within the ultrasound guidance group compared with the control group (MD = -1.35, 95% CI [-1.81, -0.88], P < .001). Moreover, more women were significantly satisfied with the procedure among the ultrasound-guided group (P < .001). In addition, ultrasound-guided IUD insertion was linked to significant decline in incidences of complications and misplaced IUDs.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guidance can be used as a modified technique during IUD insertion as it decreases pain, procedure time, and rates of complications and misplaced IUDs with better patient satisfaction.