Hysteroscopic Metroplasty Using Holmium: YAG Laser for Treatment of Septate Uterus.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and ease of hysteroscopic metroplasty using holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser for treatment of septate uterus. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of surgical technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: Septate uterus is the most common type of uterine anomaly. The incidence of uterine septum in women presenting with infertility and recurrent abortions is 15.4% [1,2]. Hysteroscopic septal incision is associated with improvement in live-birth rate in these women [3]. Hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus can be done with the use of scissors and energy sources such as monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery and lasers. Ho:YAG laser is commonly used by urologists for various surgeries because of its "Swiss Army Knife" action of cutting, coagulation, and vaporization [4]. Ho:YAG laser is known for its precision. It causes lesser depth of tissue injury and necrosis and minimal collateral thermal damage compared with the electrosurgical devices and other lasers used for hysteroscopic surgery [5-8]. This is advantageous in hysteroscopic metroplasty given that it reduces the risk of uterine perforation during surgery and hence uterine rupture in the subsequent pregnancy. Reduced collateral damage to the surrounding endometrium helps promote early endometrial healing and prevent postoperative intrauterine adhesions. A 28-year-old patient with history of 2 spontaneous abortions came to our hospital for investigations. 3D transvaginal sonography of the patient showed presence of partial septate uterus with a fundal indentation of 1.5 cm (Supplemental video 1). INTERVENTION: Diagnostic hysteroscopy followed by septal incision using Ho: YAG laser was planned. We used a 2.9 mm BETTOCCHI Hysteroscope (Karl Storz SE & Co.) with a 5 mm operative sheath. Normal saline was used as the distending medium and the intrauterine pressure was maintained at 80 to 100 mm Hg. The procedure was done under total intravenous anesthesia using propofol injection. Vaginoscopic entry into the uterus (without any cervical dilatation) showed evidence of a partial uterine septum with tubal ostia on either side of the septum. A 400 micron quartz fiber was passed through a laser guide into the 5-Fr working channel of the operative hysteroscope. Ho:YAG laser (Auriga XL 50-Watt, Boston Scientific) with power settings of 15 watts (1500 mJ energy at 10 Hz) was used. Incision of the septum was started at the apex of the septum in the midline and continued in a horizontal manner from side to side toward the base (Supplemental video 2). Incision of the septum is continued till the tip of the hysteroscope can move freely from one ostium to the other (Supplemental video 3). The operative time was 12 minutes. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Postoperative estrogen therapy was given for 2 months in the form of estradiol valerate 2 mg (tablet, Progynova, Zydus Cadila) 12 hourly orally for 25 days and medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg (tablet, Meprate, Serum Institute of India, Ltd) 12 hourly orally added in the last 5 days [9]. 3D transvaginal ultrasound was done on day 8 of menses. It showed a triangular uterine cavity with a very small fundal indentation of 0.37 cm. A second look hysteroscopy that was done on day 9 of menses showed an uterine cavity of good shape and size [10]. Few fundal adhesions were seen and they were incised using Ho:YAG laser. The patient conceived 5 months after the primary surgery and delivered by cesarean section at 38 weeks, giving birth to a healthy baby of 2860 grams. There were no complications during her pregnancy and delivery. A comparative study is essential to prove its advantages over other energy sources for this surgery. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic metroplasty using Ho:YAG laser for treatment of septate uterus is a simple, precise, safe, and effective procedure. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a local anesthetic compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug alone significantly reduce the pain associated with vaginoscopic office hysteroscopy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is the most common cause of office hysteroscopy (OH) failure. There is no consensus on alleviation of pain during OH. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of pain-relieving methods during OH. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized open-label trial included women subjected to OH. All women received 100 mg of ketoprofen intravenously pre-procedure. Women were randomly assigned to 3 arms: A) no local anesthesia, B) infiltration anesthesia with 20 ml of 1% lidocaine solution, C) paracervical block with 20 ml of 1% lidocaine solution. Karl Storz Bettocchi® rigid hysteroscope with a 5 mm operative sheath was used. Intensity of pain in numeric rating scale (NRS), intensity of cervical bleeding, frequency of vasovagal episodes, and failure rate were compared. RESULTS: The study involved 201 women, 67 in each arm. NRS value during OH was higher in arm A than in B and C (6.3 vs. 5.1 vs. 5.0; p = 0.01). NRS value after OH did not differ and in all arms pain was imperceptible (p = 0.007). Cervical bleeding was more frequent in arm B than in A and C (76.1% vs. 33.4% vs. 35.9%; p < 0.0001), but its intensity did not differ from the other arms (p = 0.3). Vasovagal episode was most common in arm B (p = 0.048). There was no difference in the failure rate between the arms (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The paracervical block, albeit technically the most laborious, has proven to be the most beneficial for the patient in terms of overall comfort and for the surgeon regarding feasibility.

Treatment of uterine scar cystoid diverticulum by hysteroscopy combined with laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a patient with prolonged intermenstrual bleeding and a cystic mass at a cesarean scar treated with laparoscopic folding sutures and hysteroscopic canalization. DESIGN: A 4.0 cm-cystic mass formed at the uterine scar caused continuous menstrual blood outflow in the diverticulum and was treated with hysteroscopy combined with laparoscopy. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A 38-year-old woman of childbearing age who had undergone two cesarean sections and two abortions reported vaginal bleeding for 10 years, which began shortly after the second cesarean section. Curettage was performed, but no abnormality was found. The patient unsuccessfully tried to manage her symptoms with traditional Chinese medicine and hormone drugs. The muscular layer of the lower end of the anterior wall of the uterus was weak, and there were cystic masses on the right side. INTERVENTION: The bladder was stripped from the lower uterine segment under laparoscopy, and the surrounding tissue of the mass at the uterine scar was separated. The position of the cesarean scar defect was identified by hysteroscopy combined with laparoscopy, and the relationship between the uterine mass and surrounding tissues was analyzed. An electric cutting ring resection on both sides of the obstruction was performed to eliminate the valve effect. The active intima of the scar diverticulum was destroyed by electrocoagulation, followed by laparoscopic treatment of the uterine scar diverticulum mass. An intraoperative tumor incision revealed visible bloody fluid mixed with intimal material. The uterine scar diverticulum defect was repaired using 1-0 absorbable barbed continuous full-thickness mattress fold sutures. Finally, the bilateral round ligament length was adjusted so that the uterus tilted forward. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recovery of menstruation and anatomy of the uterine isthmus. RESULTS: The operation was successful, and the postoperative recovery was fast. There was no interphase bleeding at the 1-month follow-up, and the uterine scar diverticulum was repaired, with the thickness of the uterine scar muscle layer increasing to 0.91 cm. CONCLUSION: The simple, straightforward procedure to resolve the abnormal cystic, solid mass formed because of the continuous deposition of blood in the uterine scar diverticulum involved laparoscopic folding and docking sutures combined with hysteroscopic canal opening.

Uptake of outpatient hysteroscopy in Australia using Medical Benefits Scheme data: Have we fallen behind?

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopy is a safe procedure which allows both diagnosis and management of cervical and endometrial pathology. Improving Australian women's access to outpatient hysteroscopy would improve cost efficiency and allow women a quicker recovery, negating the need for a general anaesthetic. Increasing the Medicare renumeration for outpatient hysteroscopy could incentivise provision of outpatient hysteroscopy. AIM: We sought to review the trend and current uptake of outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy in Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS)-funded clinics within Australia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of Australian MBS data from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2020. RESULTS: Over the past 27 years, 1 319 909 hysteroscopies have been claimed from Medicare in Australia, with 39 958 (3.1%) claimed as an outpatient diagnostic procedure. Australian outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy MBS item number use peaked in 1994 (5871 cases) representing 18.2% of all hysteroscopies claimed through the MBS that year. Uptake of the outpatient hysteroscopy item number rapidly declined after 1994 and in 2010, it represented 0.8% of all hysteroscopies claimed (426 of 49 618) and has remained below <0.5% from 2010 to 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The lower Medicare rebate and lack of recognition of the importance of outpatient hysteroscopy has likely been a driving factor in continuing inpatient hysteroscopy. Incentivised government funding has been successfully utilised in the UK to improve outpatient hysteroscopy access. This MBS data suggests that Australia has not progressed in outpatient hysteroscopy access and support a change in the current funding model to assist in supporting the uptake of outpatient access.

Office versus Institutional Operative Hysteroscopy: An Economic Model.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Model and compare estimated health system costs and gynecologic practice revenues when hysteroscopic surgery is performed in the office or institutional setting, either an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) or a traditional operating room (OR). DESIGN: Economic modeling exercise. INTERVENTIONS: Nonclinical. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An economic model was developed that included US reimbursement rates for the office and institutional settings and the inherent expenses required for office hysteroscopic surgery. For Current Procedural Terminology code 58558, hysteroscopic biopsy and/or polypectomy, total health system costs were estimated as follows: office, $1382.48; ASC, $1655.31; OR $2918.10. In the modeled office setting, costs for the same procedure were estimated from instrumentation and supply list prices obtained from vendors and staffing costs from national databases. Revenue and cost modeling were performed and compared both for 1 to 10 monthly procedure volumes and by hysteroscopic systems, whereas other elements of the procedure were standardized, including technique, staffing, generic supplies, and the use of local anesthesia. Four vendors provided system price information: 1 purpose built, 1 electromechanical, and 2 traditional. The projected office-based, per case net revenue with the purpose-built system was always greater than in the ASC or OR and relatively independent of monthly procedure volume (1 per month $743.59; 10 per month $876.17). For the traditional and electromechanical systems, it took from 2 to 5 monthly procedures to realize a net revenue greater than $239.39. Using 3 sets of vendor matched instruments, at 10 cases per month, the per case net revenue for the electromechanical system was $514.00, and for the 2 traditional systems $564.02 and $693.72. CONCLUSION: Performance of office-based hysteroscopic surgery is associated with reduced health system costs compared with the institutional environment. The net revenue for the practice was dependent on both the volume of procedures performed and the hysteroscopic system and technique selected.

Antinociceptive effects of magnesium sulfate for monitored anesthesia care during hysteroscopy: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are the most effective antinociceptive agents, they have undesirable side effects such as respiratory depressant and postoperative nausea and vomiting. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antinociceptive efficacy of adjuvant magnesium sulphate to reduce intraoperative and postoperative opioids requirements and their related side effects during hysteroscopy. METHODS: Seventy patients scheduled for hysteroscopy were randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients in the magnesium group (Group M) received intravenous magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg in 100 ml of isotonic saline over 15 min before anesthesia induction and then 15 mg/kg per hour by continuous intravenous infusion. Patients in the control group (Group C) received an equal volume of isotonic saline as placebo. All patients were anesthetized under a BIS guided monitored anesthesia care with propofol and fentanyl. Intraoperative hemodynamic variables were recorded and postoperative pain scores were assessed with verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) 1 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, and 4 h after recovery of consciousness. The primary outcome of our study was total amount of intraoperative and postoperative analgesics administered. RESULTS: Postoperative serum magnesium concentrations in Group C were significantly decreased than preoperative levels (0.86 ± 0.06 to 0.80 ± 0.08 mmol/L, P = 0.001) while there was no statistical change in Group M (0.86 ± 0.07 to 0.89 ± 0.07 mmol/L, P = 0.129). Bradycardia did not occur in either group and the incidence of hypotension was comparable between the two groups. Total dose of fentanyl given to patients in Group M was less than the one administered to Group C [100 (75-150) vs 145 (75-175) µg, median (range); P < 0.001]. In addition, patients receiving magnesium displayed lower VNRS scores at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, and 4 h postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In hysteroscopy, adjuvant magnesium administration is beneficial to reduce intraoperative fentanyl requirement and postoperative pain without cardiovascular side effects. Our study indicates that if surgical patients have risk factors for hypomagnesemia, assessing and correcting magnesium level will be necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900024596 . date of registration: July 18th 2019.

The value of endocervical and endometrial lidocaine flushing before office hysteroscopy: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of flushing the cervical canal and the uterine cavity with local anesthetic in order to reduce the pain felt by patients during office hysteroscopy. METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted between May 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, involving 260 women undergoing office hysteroscopy at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Women were randomized using a computerized random number generator to intrauterine and intracervical instillation 5 minutes before the procedure of either 5 mL lidocaine 2% diluted in 15 mL normal saline, or 20 mL normal saline alone. The primary outcome measure was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score reported by women during the procedure. Secondary outcomes included VAS score at 10 and 30 minutes after the procedure, the need for analgesia, and occurrence of vasovagal attacks. RESULTS: Women in the lidocaine flushing group reported a significantly lower VAS score during the procedure (1.8 ± 1.1 vs 5.2 ± 1.8) and 10 and 30 minutes after it (1.3 ± 1.15 and 0.8 ± 0.9 vs 4.3 ± 2.1 and 2.98 ± 1.96) when compared with control women (P<0.001). More women without lidocaine flushing experienced vasovagal attacks (25/130 vs 9/130, P<0.001) and needed analgesia (84/130 vs 13/130, P<0.001) when compared with women with lidocaine flushing. CONCLUSION: Flushing of the cervical canal and uterine cavity with local anesthetic significantly decreased pain sensation in women undergoing office hysteroscopy. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03530488.

Effects of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation combined with low-dose sufentanil pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Myoclonus is an undesirable phenomenon that occurs after induction of general anesthesia using etomidate. Opioids such as sufentanil are considered effective pretreatment drugs for myoclonus inhibition, although high doses are required. Transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES), a noninvasive technique involving electrical stimulation of the skin at the acupuncture points, exhibits analgesic effects, promotes anesthetic effects, decreases the dose of anesthetic drugs, and increases endogenous opioid peptide levels. In the present study, we investigated the effects of TAES combined with low-dose sufentanil pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus in patients undergoing elective hysteroscopy. METHODS: In a double-blind manner, 172 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-II; age, 20-55 years) scheduled to undergo elective hysteroscopy were randomized into the following groups (n = 43 each): control (false TAES followed by saline injection after 30 min), TAES (TAES followed by saline injection after 30 minutes), sufentanil [false TAES followed by low-dose sufentanil (0.1 µg/kg) injection after 30 minutes], and sufentanil plus TAES (TAES followed by low-dose sufentanil injection after 30 minutes). In all groups, general anesthesia was induced by etomidate 0.3 mg/kg after sufentanil or saline injection. The incidence and severity of myoclonus were assessed for 2 minutes after etomidate administration. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain at 1 hour after surgery were recorded. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SPO2) were recorded before premedication, after etomidate injection, after uterus expansion, and after recovery from anesthesia. RESULTS: The incidence of myoclonus was highest in the control group (88.3%), followed by TAES (74.4%), sufentanil (60.4%), and TAES plus sufentanil (48.8%) groups. Thus, the incidence was significantly higher in the control and TAES groups than in the sufentanil and TAES plus sufentanil groups. Grade 3 myoclonus occurred in 30.2%, 9.3%, 11.6%, and 9.3% patients in the control, TAES, sufentanil, and TAES plus sufentanil groups, respectively, with significant differences between the control group and the other 3 groups. Furthermore, the postoperative VAS scores for pain were significantly lower in the TAES, sufentanil, and TAES plus sufentanil groups compared with those in the control group. There were no significant differences in any other parameters among groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TAES combined with low-dose opioids such as sufentanil can decrease the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus.

Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation for Pain Relief During Office Hysteroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pain-relieving effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) during office-based hysteroscopy without sedation. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the active TENS, placebo TENS, or control group. The active TENS intervention consisted of a varying high-frequency (80-100 Hz), 400-microseconds, individually adjusted, high-intensity TENS application with two self-adhesive electrodes placed parallel to the spinal cord at the T10-L1 and S2-S4 levels. In the placebo group, participants were connected to the TENS unit but delivering no electrical stimulation. The primary outcome was self-reported pain intensity (0-100 mm) measured on a visual analog scale at several stages (entry, contact, biopsy, and residual). The minimum clinically relevant difference for the visual analog scale has been previously reported as 10 mm. Sample size was calculated to provide 80% power to show a 10-mm difference (α=0.0125) in the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included duration of the procedure, vital parameters, vasovagal symptoms, and participant satisfaction index (0-10 rating scale). RESULTS: A total of 138 women (46 per group) participated in the study between January 2016 and April 2016. No differences were found between groups regarding age, weight, body mass index, parity status, menopausal status, or previous hysteroscopy status. Visual analog scale scores highlighted a decrease in pain in the active TENS group compared with the placebo group (entry: -11 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] -17 to -5; contact: -21.9 mm, 95% CI -30 to -13.9; biopsy: -30.5 mm, 95% CI -47.1 to -13.8, P<.001). Moreover, the reduction in pain reached the minimum clinically relevant difference. Regarding satisfaction, results also revealed differences between active TENS and placebo groups (1.3, 95% CI 0.5-2.2, P=.001). CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain and increases patient satisfaction during office hysteroscopy without sedation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02647008.