Effect of Chitosan-assisted Combination of Laparoscope and Hysteroscope on the Levels of IFN-γ and ICAM-1 in Treatment of Infertility Caused by Obstruction of Fallopian Tubes.

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of combined treatment of tubal obstruction infertility with deacetylated chitosan and two microscopes on the levels of IFN-γ and ICAM-1. In this study, 100 infertile patients with fallopian tube obstruction who were treated in Jiangbei District Hospital of traditional Chinese medicine from January to August 2019 were divided into two groups according to the alternating grouping method, group A (50 cases) received combined surgery, and Group B (50 cases) received combined surgery and chitosan. The curative effect and postoperative pelvic adhesion of the two groups were analyzed, and the levels of IFN-γ, ICAM-1 and IL6(IL-6), laminin (LN), Transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-ß1) and fibronectin (FN) were observed before and after treatment. Results showed that the total effective rate of Group B was higher than that of Group A (92. 00% vs 76. 00%). The incidence of pelvic adhesion was lower in Group A (4. 00% vs 16. 00%) (P < 0.05). The levels of IFN-γ, ICAM-1, IL-6, LN, FN and TGF-ß1 in Group B were significantly lower than those in group A (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the treatment of tubal obstruction infertility with combined deacetylated chitosan and biendoscopy is effective, which can reduce the levels of IFN-γ and ICAM-1, improve the expression of adhesion-related factors and reduce the occurrence of pelvic adhesion.

Diagnostic office hysteroscopy; why is it still painful procedure despite the surgical experience and mini-hysteroscope?

AIM: To evaluate the effect of cervical canal features on pain during outpatient hysteroscopy performed by experienced surgeons using mini-hysteroscope. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on 303 women undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy without anesthesia. Pain intensity was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) when the cervical canal was passed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the VAS score: painless or mild pain (VAS <4) and moderate or severe pain (VAS ≥ 4). The relationship between cervical canal characteristics (length, version, and flexion positions, history of cervical intervention, stenosis, synechiae), obstetric and gynecological history, preoperative anxiety level, procedure duration, and pain intensity was examined. RESULTS: Moderate pain (4 ≤ VAS < 7) was observed in 38% of patients (n = 117) and 14 patients (5%) experienced severe pain (VAS ≥ 7). In multivariate analysis, nulliparity (p = 0.01; OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.7-13.2), postmenopausal state (p = 0.02; OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.3), excessive flexion of the cervix and retroverted uterus (p <0.001; OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.0-8.5) were identified as risk factors for a painful procedure. Diagnostic hysteroscopy was successful in 98% of the patients. The pain was the primary cause of the failed hysteroscopy. CONCLUSION: In addition to nulliparity and postmenopausal status, unfavorable features of the cervical canal, such as the excessive flexion position of the cervix and uterine retroversion are significant causes of pain during outpatient hysteroscopy.

Study of fallopian tube anatomy and mechanical properties to determine pressure limits for endoscopic exploration.

Falloposcopy is the endoscopic examination of the fallopian tubes, which are challenging to access due to their deep body location, small opening from the uterus, and lumen filled with plicae. We and others have developed endoscopes that are inserted through the uterus guided by a hysteroscope into the tubal ostium. To better understand how to utilize these endoscopes either as standalone devices or in concert with everting delivery balloons, a preliminary study of anatomy and mechanical behavior was performed ex vivo on porcine and human fallopian tubes. Segments of fallopian tubes from the isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum were inflated with saline either to bursting or held at sub-burst pressures with saline or a saline-filled balloon. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections stained with Masson's trichrome were examined for damage to the mucosa and muscularis. Porcine fallopian tubes tolerated saline pressurization at 15 psi for 1 minute without morphological damage. Balloon inflation to 15 psi caused no apparent damage to the muscle layer or rupture of the fallopian tube, but balloon movement within the tube can denude the mucosal epithelial layer. Human fallopian tubes averaged higher burst pressure values than porcine tubes. Under pressurization, the external tube diameter expanded by minimal to moderate amounts. Human and porcine tissues were similar in histological appearance. These studies suggest that moderate pressurization is acceptable but will not appreciably expand the fallopian tube diameter. The results also indicate that pigs are a reasonable model to study damage from falloscopy as seen in human tissue.

Evaluación de la efectividad y satisfacción de las pacientes tras miomectomía histeroscópica en consulta / Evaluation of effectiveness and patient satisfaction of hysteroscopic myomectomy in office

OBJETIVO: Analizar la efectividad de las miomectomías histeroscópicas en consulta realizadas con minirresector y conocer si hay factores relacionados con el grado de satisfacción de las pacientes. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, transversal y prospectivo, de mujeres sometidas a miomectomía histeroscópica en consulta durante el año 2018. Las pacientes recibieron medicación para la preparación cervical, analgesia oral y anestesia paracervical. La miomectomía se realizó con un minirresector de 5.8 mm. Se registraron el tiempo y el dolor en una escala visual analógica (EVA) durante la entrada y la resección, así como la satisfacción de las pacientes a los 3 meses con el cuestionario validado CSQ-8. RESULTADOS: El estudio incluyó 59 pacientes. El tiempo medio de entrada fue menor de 1 minuto (47,93 segundos) y el de resección fue de 13,51 minutos. El dolor referido por las pacientes en la EVA durante la entrada y la resección puntuó en torno a 3 y 4, respectivamente. Se consiguió un 74.6% de resecciones completas de los miomas y la puntuación media de satisfacción de las pacientes fue de 27.17. La resección completa del mioma se asoció con una mayor satisfacción total de las pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: La miomectomía histeroscópica en consulta llevada a cabo con un minirresector de 5.8 mm con analgesia paracervical obtiene buenos resultados clínicos, con buena satisfacción de las pacientes. Esta última se relaciona con una resección completa del mioma, sin que influyan el tiempo necesario para su exéresis ni el dolor.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of hysteroscopic myomectomy in office performed with mini-resectoscope, and to know if there is any variable related with patient satisfaction. METHOD: Observational and prospective transversal study, which included all women who underwent a hysteroscopic myomectomy in office in 2018. Patients received drugs for cervical preparation and pain management, as well as paracervical block. We used the 5.8 mm mini-resectoscope. We kept record of time and AVS pain during entrance and resection, as well as patient satisfaction 3 months after the procedure using the CSQ-8. RESULTS: The study included 59 patients. Mean entrance time was less than 1 minute (47.93 seconds), while mean resection time was 13.51 minutes. AVS pain during entrance and resection was around 3 and 4, respectively. We achieved 74.6% rate of complete resection. Mean patient satisfaction rate was 27.17 points. We found that a complete myoma resection is related to higher patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopic myomectomy in office performed with the 5.8 mm mini-resectoscope, using cervical block, achieves good clinical results and a good patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is associated with a complete resection of the myoma, without any influence of pain experienced or time required.

Management of Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy with Small-Caliber Hysteroscopy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervical ectopic pregnancy is one of the rarest forms of ectopic pregnancy. We present a single center case series of 10 cases of cervical ectopic pregnancy, where 3 patients underwent small-caliber hysteroscopy as a single treatment method. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of women treated at our medical center with the diagnosis of cervical ectopic pregnancy from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Patient characteristics, medical history, obstetric history, diagnostic methods were collected. Small-caliber hysteroscopy treatment was performed in 3 patients and 7 patients underwent dilation and curettage (D&C). RESULTS: We identified 10 patients diagnosed with cervical ectopic pregnancy who were treated at our center. Ultrasonography was used to diagnose all cervical ectopic pregnancies Three patients underwent small-caliber hysteroscopy as a single treatment option, while D&C was performed in 7 patients. Patients who underwent small-caliber hysteroscopy had a median gestational age at diagnosis of 7 weeks and initial ßHCG < 10,000 mIU/mL. These patients had shorter hospital stay and a lower estimated blood loss than patients who underwent D&C. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, small-caliber hysteroscopy is a safe and effective single treatment option for cervical ectopic pregnancy, but requires a skilled and experienced gynecologist.

Pain and Operative Technologies Used in Office Hysteroscopy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To identify technologies associated with the least operative pain in women undergoing operative office hysteroscopic procedures. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until January 2021 using a combination of keywords "hysteroscop*," "endometrial ablation," "outpatient," "ambulatory," "office," and associated Medical Subject Headings. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of hysteroscopic devices on pain experienced by women undergoing operative office hysteroscopy were included. Data were also collected regarding efficacy, procedural time, adverse events, and patient/clinician acceptability and/or satisfaction. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The search returned 5347 records. Ten studies provided data for review. Two trials compared endometrial ablation using bipolar radiofrequency with thermal balloon energy, with no significant difference in pain observed (p <.05). Seven trials evaluated technologies for endometrial polypectomy, of which, 4 compared energy modalities: miniature bipolar electrode resection against resectoscopy (N = 1), morcellation (N = 2), and diode laser resection (N = 1). Two studies compared hysteroscope diameter, and one study compared methods of polyp retrieval. A significant reduction in pain was found using morcellators rather than miniature bipolar electrosurgical devices (p <.001), 22Fr rather than 26Fr resectoscopes (p <.001), and 3.5-mm fiber-optic hysteroscopes with 7Fr forceps rather than 5-mm lens-based hysteroscopes with 5Fr forceps (p <.05). One study investigating septoplasty showed significant reduction in pain when cold mini-scissors, rather than a miniature bipolar electrode, were used (p = .013). Average procedural times ranged from 5 minutes 28 seconds to 22 minutes. The incidence of adverse events was low, and data regarding efficacy and acceptability/satisfaction were limited. CONCLUSION: Pain is reduced when mechanical technologies such as morcellators and scissors are used compared with electrical devices for removing structural lesions in the office. For hysteroscopic and ablative procedures, smaller and quicker devices are less painful. Large-scale RCTs investigating patient pain and experience with modern operative devices in the office setting are urgently needed.

Innovations in hysteroscopic surgery: expanding the meaning of "in-office".

Surgical innovations in hysteroscopic surgery have radically changed the way of treating intrauterine pathologies, throughout the advent of the 'see-and-treat' philosophy, which transferred the advantages of inpatient surgery to the office setting. However, in-office operative hysteroscopy was mainly limited to minor pathology as a supplement to its diagnosis, whereas commonly larger abnormalities were left to be treated in the operating room. Nowadays, pre-surgical assessment of uterine pathology is based on modern ultrasound evaluation and the evolving role of in-office hysteroscopy as a well-planned treatment modality for larger lesions and more complex procedures. Office operative hysteroscopy has been accepted as a feasible, cost-effective, practical way to treat almost any intrauterine disease. Despite the growing role of other imaging tools in the proper evaluation of benign uterine diseases, especially extended beyond to direct hysteroscopic visualization, diagnostic hysteroscopy remains a valuable tool of direct endometrial sampling and may be used as the first line in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and hyperplasia. Our aim is to describe the most recent innovations and future perspectives in the field of outpatient operative hysteroscopy: mini-resectoscopes, intrauterine morcellators, tissue retrieval systems, diode laser, new miniaturized mechanical instruments, endometrial ablation devices and portable and entry-level hysteroscopes.

Diagnostic office hysteroscopy with the Storz TrophyScope® versus Cooper surgical Endosee®.

BACKGROUND: Office hysteroscopy (OH) is becoming increasingly popular. Our objective was to determine the use patterns, reported pain scores, and success rates of OH with the 2.9 mm Storz TrophyScope® and handheld portable Cooper surgical Endosee® device in a clinic without previous office hysteroscopy experience. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of a hysteroscopy quality improvement database was conducted in a tertiary care center gynecology clinic. Patients undergoing OH with either the Storz TrophyScope® or Cooper Surgical Endosee® device were included. RESULTS: Of the 171 office hysteroscopies, 77 utilized the TrophyScope®, with 8 (10%) being inadequate, while 94 utilized Endosee®, with 13 (14%) being inadequate (P=0.50). Of the 13 inadequate Endosee® hysteroscopies, 4 (31%) were due to visualization, 4 (31%) to patient intolerance, 3 (23%) to cervical stenosis, and 2 (15%) to a combination of these factors. Of the 8 inadequate TrophyScope® hysteroscopies, 7 (87%) were due to patient intolerance and 1 (13%) to cervical stenosis. Of the 150 adequate office procedures performed, 52 cases underwent subsequent procedures in the operating room (OR). Of these, 26 (84%) of 31 Endosee® cases and 18 (86%) of 21 TrophyScope® cases were in agreement with OR procedure findings. A subgroup analysis comparing mean pain levels did not significantly differ between the two hysteroscopes. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in accuracy with OR pathologic diagnoses, adequacy of procedure, and reported pain scores when comparing the TrophyScope® and Endosee® in this prospective cohort. Larger studies are needed to confirm the sensitivity, and specificity for these newer, disposable office hysteroscopic devices.

Resultados de varias técnicas mínimamente invasivas en litiasis del polo inferior de 1-2 centímetros: estudio prospectivo, randomizado / Outcomes of different minimally invasive techniques in lower calyceal stones of 1 to 2 centimeters: A prospective, randomized study

OBJETIVO: Comparar la eficiencia, seguridad y coste de la ureteroscopia flexible polo inferior y la nefrolitotomia percutanea para el tratamiento de litiasis del polo inferior de 1 a 2 cm de diámetro. MÉTODOS: Esto fue un estudio prospectivo randomizado. En total, 175 pacientes fueron randomizados en 5 grupos (35 en cada grupo): Grupo A se manejó con uretereroscopia flexible retrograda polo inferior (UFRI), Grupo B con micronefrolitotomia percutánea (NLP); grupo C con ultra-mini NLP; Grupo D con mini NLP y el grupo E con estándar NLP. Tiempo quirúrgico y de fluoroscopio, estancia hospitalaria, tasa libre de litiasis (TLL), complicaciones, ureterolitotripsias secundarias y coste fueron comparados entre grupos. RESULTADOS: Un total de 168 pacientes fueron incluidos en el análisis final. La TLL fue de 76%, 77%, 90,1%, 94,1% y 94%. La estancia media hospitalaria fue de 1, 1,5, 2,2, y 3 días para UFRI, micoNLP, ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP y estándar NLP (p < 0,001) .El coste total medio de los procedimientos fue de 1250 USD, 962 USD, 695 USD, 632 USD y 619 USD respectivamente. El tiempo medio de retorno a las actividades diarias fue de 3,9, 4,5, 6,5, 9,3 y 13,5 días para UFRI, micro NLP, ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP,estándar NLP, respectivamente (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: TLL para el tratamiento de litiasis de polo inferior fue mayor para ultra-mini NLP, mini NLP y estándar NLP que para micro NLP y UFRI. Ademas, los pacientes deben ser informados sobre los resultadoscon los otros procedimientos; con aumento de la agresividad del tratamiento, el coste del procedimiento disminuye, pero la estancia hospitalaria y el retorno a las actividades diarias se incrementa

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficiency, safety and full cost of lower retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) types for the treatment of lower calyceal stones between 1 and 2 cm in size. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study. In all, 175 patients were randomly divided into five groups of 35 patients each: Group A was managed by RIRS, Group B by micro PNL, Group C by ultra-mini PNL, Group D by mini PNL, and Group E by standard PNL. Operating and fluoroscopy time, length of hospital stay, stone-free rates (SFR), complications, secondary ureterolithotripsy and cost were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were included in the final analysis. The SFR was 76%, 77%, 90.1%, 94.1% and 94%; median length of hospital stay 1, 1.5, 2, 2, and 3 days was for RIRS, micro, ultra-mini, mini, and standard PNL, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean total costs of the procedures per case were $1,250, $962, $695, $632, and $619, and the mean return to daily activities time was 3.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.3, and 13.5 days for RIRS, micro, ultra-mini, mini, and standard PNL, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SFR of treatment of lower calyceal stone was higher in ultra-mini, mini and standard PNL than micro PNL and RIRS. Moreover, patients should be informed about the results of all different procedures; with increasing of the invasiveness of treatment, cost of the procedure decrease; but the hospital stay and return to daily activity interval increase

An Effective Method Combining Various Endoscopes in the Treatment of Intravesical Migrated Intrauterine Device.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an effective method combining various endoscopes in the treatment of intravesical migrated intrauterine device (IUD). DESIGN: A step-by-step explanation of the surgery using video, approved by the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. SETTING: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. INTERVENTIONS: A 39-year-old young woman, in whom an IUD was inserted 2 months prior, presented with frequent urination after IUD insertion. Cystoscope and pelvic computed tomography were performed, and the results showed an IUD in the bladder. The migrated IUD was found partly in the uterus and partly in the bladder by hysteroscope and cystoscope. Management of the migrated IUD consists of 4 steps: (1) lysing the adhesion between the bladder and uterus, (2) suturing the bladder and taking the IUD part out of the bladder, (3) removing the IUD part in the uterus, and (4) suturing the bladder again to reinforce it and suturing the uterus. CONCLUSION: The migrated IUD in the bladder was successfully and completely extracted by the method combining various endoscopes; operative time was 56 minutes. In the follow-up period the patient did not report any symptoms of frequency urination. This surgical process has the following characteristics: Preoperative examination should be performed to clarify the ectopic site of the IUD, various endoscopes should be combined for diagnosis and treatment, and endoscopic surgery is an effective treatment method for migrated IUD.

Use of an Intrauterine Foley Probe for Ultrasound-Assisted Hysteroscopic Resection of Complete Uterine Septum.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate our technique for hysteroscopic resection of the complete uterine septum. DESIGN: Step-by-step description and demonstration of the procedure using pictures and video (educational video). The video was approved by our hospital's Ethical Committee. SETTING: Uterine malformations represent a rare, yet usually asymptomatic condition that can be associated with poor obstetric outcomes. The European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy(ESGE)/European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)classification is widely accepted for the description of female genital tract anomalies. Treatment of the uterine septum should be considered if fertility is desired, with hysteroscopic resection the gold standard procedure. INTERVENTION: A patient with a U2bC2V1 malformation according to the ESGE/ESHRE classification was treated with hysteroscopy. The procedure was performed in the operating room under general anesthesia using a 9-mm hysteroscope with a bipolar cutting loop. Surgery began with resection of the vaginal septum with monopolar electrosurgery until the cervix was visualized. A Foley probe was placed in 1 uterine hemicavity, and then hysteroscopy on the other hemicavity was performed. Transrectal ultrasound guidance was used to identify the limits of the septum and thereby enhance the safety of the procedure. Resection of the septum started in the upper part until the Foley probe was seen, then continued downward until internal cervical orifice was reached. In the hysteroscopic follow-up after 3 months, we visualized a small residual septum that was resected to fully restore the uterine cavity and improve the patient's obstetric outcomes. The procedure was completed without complications, and a second-look hysteroscopy showed a normal uterine cavity. CONCLUSION: The combination of real-time ultrasound guidance and placement of an intrauterine balloon through the cervix may increase safety during the procedure by providing clear visualization of the uterine cavity and septum border during resection.

Surgical Management of Cesarean Scar Defect: The Hysteroscopic-Assisted Robotic Single-Site Technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To educate surgeons on the advantages of robotic techniques in hysteroscopic-assisted single-site resection of cesarean scar defect. DESIGN: A step-by-step video presentation detailing the complete surgical procedure. SETTING: University Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. PATIENTS: The first patient was a 34-year-old G2P2002 who complained of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, with an expressed desire for a single-site cesarean scar defect correction. Her surgical history included 2 cesarean deliveries, in 2012 and 2014. The second patient was a 34-year-old G4P3013 who complained of dysmenorrhea and a persistent mucus vaginal discharge, with an expressed desire for a cesarean scar defect correction in anticipation of conception. Her surgical history was notable for 3 previous cesarean deliveries. Neither patient's ultrasound report showed adenomyosis or any other pathologies. INTERVENTIONS: In both patients, hysteroscopic-assisted robotic single-site resection of the cesarean scar defect was performed, using a monopolar hook, wristed needle drivers, cold scissors, and a diagnostic vs operative hysteroscope. Entry was made through the umbilicus with a 15-mm incision and carried down through the subcutaneous tissue until the fascia was grasped and entered using Mayo scissors. The abdomen was inspected. The bladder was carefully disected off of the lower uterine segment and then backfilled to aid identification of the correct plane for dissection. Once the bladder was adequatetly dissected off of the uterus, the suspected defect could be identified. The monopolar hook was used to incise the defect, and the tip of the hysteroscope was placed through the defect to fully delineate it. The edges were trimed with cold scissors (Endoshears) in the first surgery and the monopolar hook in the second surgery. The uterine defect was closed with 2 layers of countinuous running V-Loc suture. The peritonium was closed with an additional V-Loc suture in a running fashion. Finally, hysteroscopy was performed. The closure was noted to be watertight, verifying successful repair of the defect. In the second case, an intercede was placed over the defect to help prevent future adhesive disease. In addition, after consulting with experts in cesarean scar repair, an energy device was recommended, and thus the monopolar hook over cold scissors was used for the second case due to its superior cutting effect. In both cases, the pelvis was inspected, and hemostasis was observed throughout. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 2 cases had similar outcomes, with successful repair of the cesarean scar defect and resolution of the patient's symptoms. The thickness of the residual myometrium in cesarean scar defect was 2.8 mm in the first case and 2.3 mm in the second case. This video is exempt from Institutional Review Board review. In the first case, the surgery was completed in 90 minutes with only 15 mL of blood loss. The patient was discharged home on the day of surgery and denied any postoperative complications at her follow-up appointment. In the second case, the surgery was completed in 85 minutes with only 10 mL of blood loss. The patient was discharged home on the day of surgery. At her follow-up appointment, she had a positive pregnacy test and denied any postoperative complications. When contacted at a later date, she revealed that she was 15 weeks pregant. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic-assisted single site resection of a cesarean scar defect is a feasible method for the resection of cesarean scar defect. Use of the robot makes the difficult surgical techniques required for this operation easier and more accessible.

The Biopsy Snake Grasper Sec. VITALE: A New Tool for Office Hysteroscopy.

Hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrium with biopsy can be performed using different graspers whose terminal ends have specific features. This technical note aims to describe an innovative hysteroscopic grasper, the biopsy snake grasper sec. VITALE (Centrel S.r.l., Ponte San Nicolò, Padua, Italy), which can be used to grasp and cut at the same time. The characteristic features of this grasper are as follows: a sleeve with an opening along the whole width, a flat pointed tip with serrated edges fixed to its end by a U-shaped joint, and 2 sharp-edged jaws that completely encompass the tip when they are clenched. The biopsy snake grasper sec. VITALE, therefore, aims to be a useful innovative tool. It is a robust, easy-to-use instrument compatible with all modern hysteroscopes equipped with a 1.67-mm (5 French) working channel.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery technique without using fluoroscopy and access sheet in the treatment of kidney stones

Background/aim: In this study, we aimed to present our results on single-guidewire flexible ureteroscopy and retrograde intrarenal surgery without fluoroscopy and an access sheet, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure retrospectively. Materials and methods: Our routine technique can be described as the evaluation of the ureter using a semirigid ureterorenoscope (URS), leading in the guidewire through the semirigid URS, pulling the semirigid URS back, inserting the flexible URS with the aid of the guidewire, inserting the laser probe through the flexible URS, and performing laser lithotripsy. Results: Our study included 400 male and 198 female patients with a mean age of 36.8 ± 16 (14­80) years. The mean stone size was 8.7 ± 4 (8­20) mm, and the mean operation time was 56 (32­106) min. Postoperative fever was observed in 24 (4%) of the patients, and 30 (5%) patients had hematuria as a minor complication. A stone-free status was observed in 466 (78%) patients, while 102 (17%) patients had clinically insignificant minor stone fragments and 30 patients had clinically significant stone residue. Conclusion: The retrograde intrarenal surgery procedure using only a guidewire without fluoroscopy and an access sheet in the treatment of kidney stones is technically safe and effective.

Channel-like 360° Isthmocele Treatment with a 16F Mini-Resectoscope: A Step-by-step Technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show the technique of hysteroscopic channel-like 360° repair of a cesarean scar defect performed with a Gubbini 16F miniresectoscope (GUBBINI system; Tontarra Medizintechnik, Tuttlingen, Germany). DESIGN: A step-by-step demonstration of the surgical technique using slides, pictures, and a video (an instructive video [Video 1]). SETTING: A university hospital (Bologna University Hospital, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy). PATIENTS: A 35-year-old woman with a history of a previous cesarean section complaining of pelvic pain and postmenstrual spotting. INTERVENTIONS: With the vaginoscopic approach, the isthmocele was localized; a high-frequency 90° angled circular loop electrode and pure cutting current of 100 W were used to resect the fibrotic tissue of the proximal (step 1) and distal (step 2) part of the niche. We performed resection not only of the fibrotic tissue underneath the niche but also of the inflamed tissue placed around the niche and on the opposite site (the so-called channel-like 360° endocervical ablation). A high-frequency angled ball electrode was used to obtain focused coagulation of all residual inflamed tissue still present on the niche surface and on the cervical canal walls (step 3); the aim of this step is to facilitate the re-epithelialization of the cervical canal walls by the paraphysiological endocervical epithelium. The procedure was ended by controlling any bleeding of the endocervical vessels by reducing the inflow and pressure of the distending medium and by focused electrocauterization with a ball electrode (step 4). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The operative time was 14 minutes. The small diameter of a 16F resectoscope and the use of a miniaturized loop without cervical dilation allow the operative procedures to be performed without cervical dilation and without anatomic distortion of the defect, reducing the risk of complications. The small diameter of the sheaths also makes the surgical gesture faster with an easier and faster approach to the niche compared with isthmocele hysteroscopic standard surgery. CONCLUSION: The presence of a uterine scar defect is usually asymptomatic or refers to postmenstrual spotting with dark red or brown discharge, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or a dull sensation after menstruation. Several factors may play a role in isthmocele development such as a low uterine incision, a deficient suturing technique of the uterine incision, and patient-related factors that impair wound healing or increase inflammation or adhesion formation. Different techniques were used as reconstructive therapies of the cesarean scar defect including laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic excision, vaginal repair, or hysteroscopic treatment. All of these procedures remove or ablate the niche fibrotic tissue with the aim of relieving symptoms. Asymptomatic cases should not be treated. According to the most recent literature, hysteroscopic repair of a cesarean scar represents an effective and safe surgical option in cases of a symptomatic isthmocele. The persistence of symptoms has been reported in up to 18% of cases, so adequate counseling should be performed before the procedure.

Total Hysteroscopic Treatment of Cervical Pregnancy: The 2-step Technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of total surgical treatment of ectopic cervical pregnancy [1] with a minimally invasive approach performed by hysteroscopy [2]. DESIGN: Step-by-step video demonstration of the surgical technique using 5 mm hysteroscopy followed by 10 mm resectoscopy. SETTING: A research and university hospital (IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy). PATIENTS: A 41-year-old woman with an ultrasound diagnosis of ectopic cervical pregnancy at 6 + 6 weeks of gestation with a beta human chorionic gonadotropin serum level of 55.951 mUI/mL. INTERVENTIONS: We performed a 2-step technique using 5- and 10-mm hysteroscopy (Video 1). During the first step, a 5-mm Bettocchi hysteroscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) with a 5F bipolar electrode Versapoint Twizzle (Gynecare, Menlo Park, CA) was used. In this phase, the gestational sac was identified in order to confirm the diagnosis and its site of implantation. Later, the gestational sac was opened, and the pregnancy was terminated by cord section under an embryoscopic view (Fig. 1). Finally, a partial vessel coagulation was performed. Afterward, the cervix was dilated, and a resectoscopy was performed. During the second step, a 10-mm Gynecare resectoscope with the bipolar Gynecare Versapoint was used and the gestational sac with the embryo was removed; subsequently, a complete chorial villi resection was achieved. At last, a coagulation of bleeding vessels on the implantation site in order to control the hemostasis was performed (Fig. 2). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The study was approved by the institutional review board. The patient was discharged 24 hours after the procedure with an uneventful postoperative course, and the beta human chorionic gonadotropin serum level became negative in 20 days. After 40 days, the ultrasound cervical findings were regular, whereas office hysteroscopy showed the implantation site scar. After 5 months, the patient was pregnant with regular intrauterine implantation (Fig. 3). CONCLUSION: The total hysteroscopic approach with a 2-step technique offers an effective, safe, and minimally invasive surgical treatment to ectopic cervical pregnancy. Considering that our method, in contrast with the recent literature [3-5], is performed without any medical treatment, we reported for the first time an approach, that deserve more clinical data to confirm its effectiveness.

Clinical application of Lin's biopsy grasper for intrauterine targeted biopsy and polypectomy during office hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopy has widely been used for diagnosis of the uterine cavity; however, target biopsy has often been difficult in part to the inherent limitations of ancillary instruments. Lin's biopsy grasper was specifically designed to work in conjunction with a flexible hysteroscope to obtain intrauterine biopsy under transabdominal sonography. Herein, we share our clinical experience in the management of endometrial abnormalities with the use of Lin's biopsy grasper during office-based hysteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to November 2016, the use of Lin's biopsy grasper for tissue biopsy was attempted on 126 cases. We retrospectively recorded and analyzed the patients' preoperative characteristics and biopsy outcomes to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of Lin's biopsy grasper. RESULTS: Out of the one hundred and twenty-six enrolled patients, satisfactory targeted biopsies were achieved; including high diagnostic rate (92.1%, with 116 cases confirmed histologically) and adequate tissue retrieval (77.8%, with 98 cases obtaining optimal specimen volume). All patients tolerated the procedure without analgesics or anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic flexible hysteroscopy combined with the use of Lin's biopsy grasper has proven to be an effective tool for intrauterine evaluation and obtaining tissue sample.

Preclinical Testing of a Combination Stone Basket and Ureteral Balloon to Extract Ureteral Stones.

We have developed the Peralta Stone Extraction System to increase the safety of ureteral stone extraction. The device combines a nitinol stone basket and low-pressure balloon into a single device. After visualization, the stone is captured in the tipless nitinol basket and enveloped by a low-pressure balloon. We tested the performance of device prototypes in a porcine model using stone mimics with diameters ranging from 4.2 to 6.2 mm. Stones extracted with the device required less force when compared with stones in a standard ureteral stone basket. The force reduction was most pronounced for stones greater than 4.2 mm in diameter, and when traversing a ureteral stenosis model. In conclusion, a combination stone basket and balloon device may provide a new and safer way to extract ureteral stones.