Hysteroscopy

Diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that enables a detailed examination of the inside of the uterus. It is performed using a hysteroscope with a video camera attached to it (a kind of a narrow telescope), and it is introduced through the cervix into the uterine cavity. Through the hysteroscope, a special solution is introduced into the uterine cavity during the procedure, which expands the walls of the uterus thus providing the best possible view of the interior. Hysteroscopy can be diagnostic or therapeutic.

Diagnostic hysteroscopy lasts a few minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, under short-term anesthesia. The procedure is performed in order to carry out fertility assessment in case of repeated miscarriages, irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular bleeding in peri- and post-menopause, and to check the uterine lining in women who are taking some kind of medicine for breast cancer. In some cases, at the end of the procedure, it is necessary to take a tissue sample of the uterine mucosa and carry out a histopathological analysis.

Therapeutic hysteroscopy treats a disorder or medical condition inside the uterine cavity. It is performed mostly under general or short-term anesthesia depending how long the procedure is planned to last. After the procedure, it is usually necessary to bedrest for a few hours up to a day. Therapeutic hysteroscopy is performed in order to carry out endometrial ablation, the extraction of polyps and fibroids present inside the uterine cavity, the removal of a partition or adhesions in the uterus, and the removal of a spiral that cannot be removed by regular procedure.

Possible complications - as with any surgical procedure, complications are possible. However, the risk of complications is very small with hysteroscopy, even less than the risk of complications related to uterine curettage, because the whole procedure is performed under camera control. Complications can include bleeding, perforation of the uterine cavity and infection.

Postoperative recovery - after this procedure, menstrual-like pains, discharge or light bleeding may occur (7-14 days after the procedure). Pain can be managed with analgesics (Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Ketonal).