Patient Information
1.
What
is hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy
is a technique which allows to see inside the uterine cavity,
distended by gas (CO2) or by liquid (normal solution),
with a thin telescope inserted through the uterine cervix.
2.
What
is hysteroscopy useful to?
Hysteroscopy is useful to:
-
diagnose
endocavitary (intrauterine) pathologies (cervical polyps,
endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial
carcinoma, congenital uterine malformations, synechiae, submucous/intramural
myomas);
-
to
study the endometrial phase;
-
to
localize and remove IUDs or foreign bodies;
-
to
effect tubal occlusion for sterilization.
Today,
the modern office hysteroscopy enable the gynaecologist to see and
to treat at the same time, a large part of pathologies (cervical
and endometrial polyps, synechiae, submucous myomas, IUD removal)
without any analgesia or anaesthesia. More
complex operative hysteroscopy procedures require an operating
room setting.
3.
Is
hysteroscopy traumatic?
We consider hysteroscopy as a quite atraumatic procedure.
In our center
we have developed the
vaginoscopical approach for hysteroscopy: we
do not use speculum and tenaculum. Besides this the introduction
of new hysteroscopes with a diameter variable between 1.2 and 3 mm
has allowed to use not only very thin diagnostic sheaths, but also
operative sheaths of less than 5 mm. This allows to perform,
simultaneously, during the same procedure, the diagnosis and the
treatment of the majority of the benign endouterine pathologies
without any pre-medication or anesthesia.
4.
What
are the hysteroscopic complications?
§
Pelvic
pain (frequent, but light and momentary);
§
Ascending
infection (rare);
§
Vagal
reaction (rare).
Complications
are easily avoidable by expert operator and using the correct technique
and strumentations.
5.
Does
hysteroscopy replace D&C?
Yes, today there is no more space for D&C as
a diagnostic procedure. Many hysteroscopies performed soon after
D&C have shown persistence of pathologies (i.e., endometrial
polyps) or missed
diagnosis (endometrial abnormalities).
6.
During
which cycle phase is hysteroscopy performed?
Hysteroscopy
is more diagnostic if performed during the proliferative phase,
soon after menstruation.
7.
Can
an endometrial polyp be removed during an office hysteroscopy?
Yes,
see above.
8.
Is
it necessary a local or general anesthesia?
No, see above.
9.
I
am virgin, can I undergo hysteroscopy?
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