Introduction: Labor pain is considered as one of the most important causes of stress for the parturient. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of subcutaneous injection of 1% lidocaine with normal saline in the lumbosacral region on labor pain reduction and their complications.

Methods: Seventy para 2, term ASA I parturient were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial and randomly allocated to lidocaine group (injection of 0.5 ml 1% lidocaine or control group (injection of 0.5 ml normal saline). Drugs were injected subcutaneously at 4 points in lumbosacral region (Michaelis' rhomboid) by an insulin syringe. Labor pain was assessed by visual analogue scale 15, 40 and 60 minutes after injections.

Results: There were no significant differences among age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and fetal or maternal age between groups. The pain intensities in lidocaine group were significantly lower 15, 40 and 60 minutes after injections compared with normal saline group. There was no significant difference between normal saline pain intensity after injection compared with before injection but in lidocaine group all the post-injection pain intensities were significantly lower compared to pre-injection. There were no cases of hemodynamic instability or fetal complications.

Conclusion: Subcutaneous injection of 1% lidocaine in the Michaelis rhomboid region is accompanied by minimal hemodynamic changes or complications and significant reduction in labor pain.

Hakim Research Journal 2006 9(2): 12 -17.