SummaryAn on-going double-blind study was carried out in women requiring pain relief after episiotomy to compare the efficacy of 500 mg diflunisal twice daily, 65 mg dextro-propoxyphene plus 650 mg paracetamol 3-times daily, and placebo. Fifty-seven patients, allocated at random to receive 2-days' treatment with one or other of the trial drugs, have been studied to date. The preliminary results, as assessed by descriptive rating scales, showed that all three treatments were equally effective in relieving spontaneous pain and pain at night. Patients' overall opinion showed no difference between treatments although the investigator assessed diflunisal to be better than the combined preparation and both to be better than placebo. A visual analogue scale of assessment is to be used for the remainder of the trial.