Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy – Diagnostic and Operative

Hysteroscopy is a way to look inside the uterus. A hysteroscope is a thin, telescope-like device that is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. It may help a doctor diagnose or treat a uterine problem.

Uses of Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is minor surgery that may be done in a doctor’s office or operating room with local, regional, or general anesthesia. In some cases, little or no anesthesia is needed. The procedure poses little risk for most women. Hysteroscopy may be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both.

Diagnostic Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose some problems in the uterus. It also can be used to confirm the results of other tests, such as hysterosalpingography (HSG).

The hysteroscope is sometimes used with other instruments or techniques. For instance, it may be done before dilation and curettage (D&C) or at the same time as laparoscopy. In a D&C, the cervix is widened (dilation) and part of the lining of the uterus is removed (curettage). In laparoscopy, a slender, telescope-like device is inserted into the abdomen through a tiny incision (cut) made through or just below the navel. Hysteroscopy also may be used for other conditions.

The uterus is a muscular organ located in the pelvis. It is broad at the top and narrow at the bottom. At each side of the upper part, a fallopian tube leads outward toward an ovary. The ovaries contain many eggs, or ova, and normally release one during each menstrual cycle. The tubes carry a fertilized egg from the ovaries to the uterus. The lower end of the uterus, called the cervix, is a narrow channel with a small opening. It opens into the vagina.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

A woman has this condition if she has heavier or longer periods than usual, bleeds between periods, or has any bleeding after her periods have stopped at menopause. Hysteroscopy may help the doctor find the cause of abnormal bleeding that other methods have not found. It may be used to take a biopsy.

Infertility

A couple may not be able to achieve pregnancy for a number of reasons. Sometimes the cause of female infertility is related to a defect in the shape or size of the uterus. One example of this is a septate uterus (a thin sheet of tissue divides the inside of the uterus into two sections). Hysteroscopy may find these problems if other tests do not.

Repeated Miscarriages

Some women, although able to get pregnant, lose the fetus to miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Hysteroscopy can be used with other tests to help find the causes of repeated miscarriage.

Adhesions. Bands of scar tissue, or adhesions, may form inside the uterus. This is called Asherman syndrome. These adhesions may cause infertility and changes in menstrual flow. Hysteroscopy can help locate adhesions.

Before the Procedure

What to Expect

Hysteroscopy is a safe procedure. Problems such as injury to the cervix or the uterus, infection, heavy bleeding, or side effects of the anesthesia occur in less than 1% of cases.

Before Surgery

Hysteroscopy is best done during the first week or so after a menstrual period. This allows a better view of the inside of the uterus. If you are having a hysteroscopy in a hospital, you may be asked not to eat or drink for a certain time before the procedure. Some routine lab tests may be done. You will be asked to empty your bladder. Then your vaginal area will be cleansed with an antiseptic.

Anesthesia

Hysteroscopy may be performed with local, regional, or general anesthesia. The type used depends on a number of factors. This includes whether other procedures are being done at the same time. Where you have your surgery-in your doctor’s office or in the hospital-also may affect the kind of pain relief used. You will want to discuss your options with your doctor. Before the procedure, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help you relax (a sedative) before the anesthetic is injected. When a local anesthetic is used, it is injected around the cervix to numb it. You will remain awake during the procedure. You may feel some cramping. With regional anesthesia, a drug will be injected to block the nerves that receive feeling from the pelvic region. You will be awake but will not feel any pain. The anesthetic will be given through a needle or tube in your lower back. This is called a spinal or epidural. With general anesthesia, you breathe a mixture of gases through a mask. You will not be conscious during the surgery. After the anesthetic takes effect, a tube may be put down your throat to help you breathe.

The Procedure

Before a hysteroscopy, the opening of your cervix may need to be dilated (made wider) with a special device. The hysteroscope then is inserted through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus.

A liquid or gas may be released through the hysteroscope to expand the uterus so that the inside can be seen better. A light shone through the device allows the doctor to view the inside of the uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes into the uterine cavity. If surgery is to be done, small instruments will be inserted through the hysteroscope.

For more complicated procedures, a laparoscope may be used at the same time to view the outside of the uterus. In this case, a gas is flowed into the abdomen. The gas expands the abdomen.

This creates a space inside by raising the wall of the abdomen and moving it away from the internal organs. This makes the organs easier to see. Most of this gas is removed at the end of the procedure. This procedure is not done in the office.

After the Procedure

Recovery

If local anesthesia was used, you will be able to go home in a short time. If regional or general anesthesia was used, you may need to be watched for some time before you go home. You may feel a pain in your shoulders if laparoscopy was done with hysteroscopy or if gas was used during hysteroscopy to inflate the uterus. In most cases, the pain passes quickly as the gas is absorbed. You may feel faint or sick or you may have slight vaginal bleeding and cramps for a day or two. Get in touch with your doctor if you have:

• A fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge

Finally

Because hysteroscopy allows your doctor to see the inside of the uterus, it may permit a diagnosis of some medical problems. It also may be used to treat them. The procedure and recovery time are brief in most cases.