Evaluation of a single-step diagnosis and treatment of premalignant cervical lesion by LEEP.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether a single-step diagnosis and treatment of premalignant cervical lesions by the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is appropriate in women at high risk in low-resource countries. METHOD: Sixty women suspected of having a high-grade lesion on both visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopic examination were randomly allotted to one of 2 groups. In group 1, LEEP was performed immediately and a tissue specimen was sent for histopathologic evaluation; in group 2, a punch biopsy was performed, followed by a histopathologic evaluation; then, LEEP was performed if needed. RESULTS: Among the patients who underwent LEEP, 4 (16%) in group 1 and 3 (15.8%) in group 2 were overtreated. No patients dropped out of the study in group 1 but 5 (20.8%) did in group 2. CONCLUSION: The single-step diagnosis and LEEP treatment of premalignant cervical lesions is appropriate in low-resource countries.

Combined diagnostic approach of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility: results of 612 patients.

AIM: To clarify the role of a combined diagnostic approach using laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility in developing countries. METHODS: In a prospective study, 612 consecutive infertile women underwent complete fertility evaluation at a tertiary university infertility clinic: 300 complained of primary infertility, 221 of secondary infertility, and 91 were requesting reversal of a previous tubal ligation. All the patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as a part of their routine infertility evaluation. Focused hysteroscopic evaluation of the region of utero-tubal junction was attempted. RESULTS: Laparoscopy was successful in 608 and hysteroscopy in 597 patients. The most frequent pathologies detected hysteroscopically in the infertile group were adhesive in nature and believed to be post-traumatic and/or post-phlogistic. The number of intrauterine abnormalities found by hysteroscopy was significantly greater than by hysterosalpingography. The rate of diagnosis of significant lesions by laparoscopy of 64.3% rose to 76.6% when the hysteroscopic findings were included. A significant number of women with secondary infertility had abnormal hysteroscopic findings when compared to either women with primary infertility or those requesting sterilization reversal. Hysteroscopic evaluation of the region of utero-tubal junction revealed significant lesions believed to have caused infertility in comparison with those requesting sterilization reversal. CONCLUSION: The combined diagnostic approach of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy is recommended in the evaluation of female infertility in communities where the risk of pelvic infections is great.

Significance of endometrial polyps detected hysteroscopically in eumenorrheic infertile women.

AIM: To determine if the incidence of small endometrial polyps detected hysteroscopically in an infertile eumenorrheic population differed from that in an apparently fertile eumenorrheic population. Evidence was sought to determine whether removal of such lesions would enhance reproductive performance. METHODS: In a prospective study, 266 consecutive infertile women had undergone complete fertility evaluation. None of the women had experienced any change in their menstrual cycle. They were divided into two groups; 235 infertile patients (group 1) and 31 requesting a reversal of a previous tubal sterilization (group 2). All patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as part of their routine infertility evaluation. When endometrial polyps were noted they were removed by hysteroscopy and histopathologically examined. Patients in whom the only apparent finding was endometrial polyps were followed up to determine their reproductive outcomes subsequent to removal of the polyps. RESULTS: Of the 224 uterine cavities successfully visualized in the infertile group, 134 were judged to be normal (60%) and 90 were abnormal (40%). Endometrial polyps were noted in 35 patients of group 1 and in one patient of group 2 (P < 0.01). Most polyps were located in the region of the utero-tubal junction and proved to be functional. A 50% pregnancy rate was achieved by hysteroscopic polypectomy. Fertility-related factors in women whose only apparent finding was endometrial polyps before and after hysteroscopy were comparable. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic hysteroscopy should be used routinely in the work-up of infertile woman, even in the presence of eumenorrhea. Persistent functional endometrial polyps, even if small, are likely to impair fertility in this select patient group. Removal of such lesions may improve subsequent reproductive performance.