Updates in office hysteroscopy: a practical decalogue to perform a correct procedure

Updates Surg. 2020 Dec;72(4):967-976. doi: 10.1007/s13304-020-00713-w. Epub 2020 Feb 1.

Abstract

Nowadays, hysteroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine pathologies as it represents a safe and minimally invasive procedure that allows the visualization of the entire uterine cavity. Numerous technological innovations have occurred over the past few years, contributing to the development and widespread use of this technique. In particular, the new small-diameter hysteroscopes are equipped with an operating channel in which different mechanical instruments can be inserted, and they allow not only to examine the cervical canal and uterine cavity but also to perform biopsies or treat benign diseases in a relatively short time without anesthesia and in an outpatient setting. In this scenario, the operator must be able to perform hysteroscopy in the correct way to make this procedure increasingly safe and painless for the patient. This review aims to describe the ten steps to perform a correct office hysteroscopy, starting from patient counseling to the therapy after the procedure.

Keywords: Intrauterine pathologies; Minimally invasive surgery; Office hysteroscopy; Outpatient; See and treat.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / trends
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysteroscopy / instrumentation*
  • Hysteroscopy / methods*
  • Hysteroscopy / trends
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / trends