Effects on Vaginal Microbiota Restoration and Cervical Epithelialization in Positive HPV Patients Undergoing Vaginal Treatment with Carboxy-Methyl-Beta-Glucan.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan on cervical epithelialization and on the vaginal microbiota in patients with HPV infection or low-grade cervical preneoplastic lesion (CIN 1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven-hundred eighty-four women with positive HPV tests or diagnosed with CIN 1 were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. All the recruited women performed, at baseline and after 6 months, Pap test, HPV test, evaluation of vaginal health according to the Amsel criteria, colposcopy, and punch biopsy. The study population was then divided into 2 groups in relation to the therapy performed during the follow-up period. Group A performed treatment with vaginal gel based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan (1 application/day for 20 days per month for 3 months). Group B was the control group. RESULTS: The patients of group A had a significant improvement in the ectopia pattern and a greater number of cases with metaplasia in the maturation phase with a significant increase in Lugol uptake. In the experimental group, a significant improvement in the pH indices, a negative Swift test and a resolution of the leucorrhoea were observed. A negative result of the 37.1% Pap test and the 39.9% HPV test (vs. 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively) were demonstrated in the treatment group with respect to the control group. A negativization of the colposcopic pictures was observed with a reduction in the amount of CIN 1 found higher in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal therapy based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan has been able to improve overall vaginal health; this effect seemed to positively impact the risk of persistence and progression of CIN.

Effect of Immunomodulatory Supplements Based on Echinacea Angustifolia and Echinacea Purpurea on the Posttreatment Relapse Incidence of Genital Condylomatosis: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Introduction. HPV infection is a highly infectious disease; about 65% of partners of individuals with genital warts will develop genital condylomatosis. Only in 20-30% it regresses spontaneously and relapse rates range deeply (9-80%). Echinacea extracts possess antiviral and immunomodulator activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the therapy, using a formulation based on HPVADL18® (on dry extracts of 200 mg Echinacea Purpurea (EP) roots plus E. Angustifolia (EA)), on the posttreatment relapse incidence of genital condylomatosis. Materials and Methods. It is a prospective single-arm study. Patients with a satisfactory and positive vulvoscopy, colposcopy, or peniscopy for genital condylomatosis were divided into two random groups and subjected to destructive therapy with Co2 Laser. Group A (N=64) immediately after the laser therapy started a 4-month treatment with oral HPVADL18®; Group B (N=61) did not undergo any additional therapy. Patients were subjected to a follow-up after 1, 6, and 12 months. Differences in relapse incidence between the two groups during follow-up controls were evaluated by χ2-test; the groups were stratified by age, gender, and condylomatosis extension degree. Results and Discussion. Gender, age, and condyloma lesions' extension degree showed no statistically significant differences between the two trial groups. The relapse incidence differs statistically between the two studied groups and progressively decreases during the 12 months after treatment in both groups. Statistically significant reduction of relapse rates has been shown in Group A in patients over 25 years old. This difference is significant for both men and women. The relapse incidence is superior in case of extended condylomatosis. Conclusions. In conclusion, the presence of a latent infection causes condylomatosis relapse; in order to reduce the relapse risk an induction of a protective immune response seems to be essential to allow rapid viral clearance from genital areas surrounding lesion and treatment zones. Echinacea promotes this process. EP and EA dry root extracts seem to be a valid adjuvant therapy in reducing relapse incidence of lesions in patients treated for genital condylomatosis.

Operative transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy improve ovulation rate after clomiphene failure in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aim of our study was to assess the ovulation rate, with mid-luteal progesterone level and ultrasound follicles monitoring, in PCOS CC-resistant patients undergone transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy ovarian drilling. A prospective observational study was carried out in 123 PCOS, infertile, CC-resistant patients who undergone THL ovarian drilling. Each woman was evaluated by hormonal measurement, and ultrasound evaluation during 6 months follow-up. Progesterone serum levels were assessed on days 20-24 of the cycle after surgical treatment. Pg levels >3 ng/mL were considered as ovulation. Ovulation frequency and the highest mean follicular diameters during the monitoring were recorded. 117 patients complete the study, since six patients were lost to follow-up. Mean follicular diameter during ovulation monitoring was 16.37 mm. Ovulation rate at the follow up was 64.1% one month after treatment, 79.5% after three months and 82.9% after six months. 28 patients conceived during follow-up period. Pregnancy rate was 70.1%. Our study has shown that THL ovarian drilling improves ovulation and pregnancy rate in women with CC-resistant PCOS. We believe that this approach should be offered as second-line therapy at all PCOS CC-resistant women who fail the medical methods of ovulation induction.

Impact of Ospemifene on Quality of Life and Sexual Function in Young Survivors of Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) treatments impact quality of life (QoL) and sexual function (SF) of survivors. Treatment options to reduce sexual dysfunction are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ospemifene in CC survivors with clinical signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) focusing on their QoL and SF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with previous diagnosis of stage I-IIa CC suffering from VVA and treated with ospemifene were enrolled into a single arm prospective study. Patient underwent 6 months of therapy. At baseline and after 6 months all subjects performed Vaginal Health Index (VHI). The SF and QoL were measured by The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) and the Cervical Cancer Module (CXC-24). RESULTS: After treatment a significant improvement of each parameter of VHI has been demonstrated. Global health status and emotional and social functioning scores improved significantly. On the contrary, general symptoms scales did not show significant difference from baseline data. Sexual activity, sexual vaginal functioning, body image, and sexual enjoyment scores increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Ospemifene seems to be effective in decreasing the VVA symptoms in CC survivors.

Impact of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy ovarian drilling on ovarian stromal blood flow and ovarian volume in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients: a case-control study.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in gynecology. In PCOS patients vascularization parameters are altered. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) is a mini-invasive approach for ovarian drilling in PCOS patients. In this study, we assessed the effect of ovarian drilling using THL on ovarian volume (OV) and vascularization index (VI) using 3D power Doppler ultrasonography in CC-resistant PCOS patients. A case-control study on 123 CC-resistant PCOS women who underwent THL ovarian drilling was performed. Patients underwent 3D ultrasound and power Doppler to measure VI, flow index (FI), vascularization flow index (VFI) and to evaluate OV before and after the procedure, at six months, and on the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. After THL ovarian drilling, OV and power Doppler flow indices were significantly reduced compared to pre-operative values (OV: 7.85 versus 11.72 cm3, p < 0.01; VI: 2.50 versus 4.81, p < 0.01; VFI: 1.10 versus 2.16, p < 0.01; FI: 32.05 versus 35.37, p < 0.01). In conclusion, THL ovarian drilling seems to reduce OV and 3D power Doppler indices, and could therefore be a viable alternative to LOD in PCOS patients resistant to medical therapy.

Combined Systemic and Hysteroscopic Intra-Amniotic Injection of Methotrexate Associated with Hysteroscopic Resection for Cervical Pregnancy: A Cutting-Edge Approach for an Uncommon Condition.

This case report of a 36-year-old woman with a diagnosis of cervical pregnancy describes a novel approach to this rare form of ectopic pregnancy, which was successfully treated with systemic and local methotrexate (MTX) therapy combined with hysteroscopic resection. After local and systemic administration of MTX, the patient underwent hysteroscopic resection of the cervical pregnancy using a 27 bipolar resectoscope with a 4-mm loop. The cervical pregnancy was completely treated, and satisfactory hemostasis was achieved with electrocoagulation. The reported case and literature review demonstrate that the combination of systemic and local (hysteroscopic) administration of MTX with hysteroscopic resection could offer the possibility of a safe, successful, minimally invasive, and fertility-sparing surgical treatment for cervical pregnancy.

Serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels after ovarian drilling for the second-line treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot-randomized study comparing laparoscopy and transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy.

Aim of the study was to asses and compare serum anti-Mullerian harmone (AMH) levels after laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) and transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) ovarian drilling in clomifene citrate (CC)-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients; secondary outcome was to evaluate postoperative pain to estimate the acceptability of procedures. A total of 246 patients with CC-resistant PCOS were randomized into two groups: 123 underwent LOD and 123 underwent THL ovarian drilling. AMH serum levels were evaluated before and after the procedure; moreover, women were asked to rate pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain, perfectly acceptable) to 10 (unbearable pain, completely unacceptable). In both groups, postoperative serum AMH levels were significantly reduced compared to preoperative levels (6.06 ± 1.18 and 5.84 ± 1.16 versus 5.00 ± 1.29 and 4.83 ± 1.10; p < 0.0001). Comparing postoperative serum AMH levels, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two surgical technique. After the procedure, mean pain VAS score was significantly higher for women who underwent LOD ovarian drilling in comparison to THL (3.26 ± 1.1 versus 1.11 ± 0.5; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, THL ovarian drilling is comparable to the LOD in terms of reduction in AMH, but it is preferred by patients in terms of acceptability. These results could support to use of THL ovarian drilling in the treatment of patients with CC- resistant PCOS.

Post-operative ovarian adhesion formation after ovarian drilling: a randomized study comparing conventional laparoscopy and transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy.

PURPOSE: To compare conventional laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) with transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) ovarian drilling in terms of ovarian adhesion formation, evaluated using office THL during follow-up in CC-resistant anovulatory patients affected by PCOS. METHODS: Prospective randomized study on 246 CC-resistant women with PCOS. The patients enrolled were divided into two groups, 123 were scheduled to undergo LOD and 123 to undergo THL ovarian drilling. Six months after the procedure all patients were offered office transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) follow-up, under local anesthesia to evaluate adhesion formation. RESULTS: Duration of the procedure was significantly shorter in the THL group in comparison with LOD group (p < 0.0001). No intra- or post-operative complication was observed in any of the patients in both groups. Post-operative THL follow-up after 6 months showed that 15 (15.5 %) patients in the THL group and 73 (70.2 %) in the LOD group showed the presence of ovarian adhesion. This difference was highly significant with a p value <0.0001 and a relative risk of 0.22 [95 % IC 0.133-0.350]. CONCLUSION: This study seems to indicate that THL ovarian drilling may reduce the risk of ovarian adhesion formation and could be used as a safe and effective option to reduce ovarian adhesion formation in patients undergoing ovarian drilling.

Efficacy of hysteroscopy in improving reproductive outcomes of infertile couples: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The scientific community has been re-evaluating the clinical relevance of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine factors and its role in the infertility work-up, thanks to its potential capability to improve reproductive outcomes and reduce time to pregnancy. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy in improving the live birth rate (LBR) of infertile women, with and without intrauterine abnormalities, at any stage of the infertility work-up. SEARCH METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Clinical Trials Registry using Medical Subject Headings and free text terms were searched up to June 2014, without language or year restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling infertile women with no suspected intrauterine cavity abnormalities and comparing hysteroscopy versus no hysteroscopy at any stage of the diagnostic work-up, but prior to the first attempt of standard IVF or ICSI or after (one or more) failed attempts of IVF/ICSI were included. RCTs enrolling infertile women with intrauterine abnormalities and comparing operative versus diagnostic hysteroscopy were also included. Risk of bias was assessed using the criteria recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration and the overall quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results were pooled by meta-analysis using the random effect model. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome evaluated was the LBR, while secondary outcomes were pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and procedure-related complications. Five hundred and eighty-eight records were retrieved after removing duplicates. Nine studies were included, with 2976 participants. Four studies included infertile women with one or more failed IVF/ICSI cycles. Two studies included infertile women who were candidates for their first IVF/ICSI. One study included candidates both for first IVF/ICSI and with one or more failed IVF/ICSI cycles. Two studies included infertile women affected by uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps, who had not received IVF/ICSI nor were candidates. Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing hysteroscopy with no hysteroscopy prior to any (first or subsequent) IVF/ICSI attempt in infertile women without intrauterine abnormalities, there was very low-quality evidence that hysteroscopy increased LBR (relative risk (RR) 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.81; three studies with 1088 participants) and moderate quality evidence that it increased pregnancy rate (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.26-1.67; seven studies, 2545 participants). Results on pregnancy rate were confirmed in the subgroup analysis of five studies including only women with one or more implantation failures (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14-1.75) and three studies where hysteroscopy was performed before the first IVF/ICSI attempt (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.26-1.91). Comparing operative hysteroscopy for intrauterine abnormalities in infertile women with already diagnosed polyps or fibroids, there was low-quality evidence that operative hysteroscopy increases pregnancy rate (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.56-2.92). None of the studies comparing operative versus diagnostic hysteroscopy assessed LBR. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: Robust and high-quality RCTs are still needed before hysteroscopy can be regarded as a first-line procedure in all infertile women, especially during the basal clinical assessment of the couple, when assisted reproductive treatment is not indicated yet.

Office myomectomy.

Small myomas have a high potential to grow and either to become symptomatic or to cause complications in women of reproductive age. Furthermore, although the risk of malignancy is rare, even the most experienced operator cannot replace the histological analysis to exclude malignancy or premalignant lesions. Such small symptomatic and asymptomatic totally or partially intracavitary myomas may be treated effectively and safety in office setting. The aim of this paper is to describe the currently available hysteroscopic techniques to treat myomas <1.5 cm also with a minimal intramural component without anaesthesia or analgesia in ambulatory setting reducing patient's discomfort.

"In patient" medical abortion versus surgical abortion: patient's satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patients' satisfaction with medical and surgical abortion, implementing the Italian guidelines on medical abortion entailing an "in patient" procedure. METHODS: A total of 1832 pregnant chose between surgical (vacuum aspiration) or medical abortion (mifepristone p.o. followed after 3 days by sublingual misoprostol) and expressed their expected satisfaction on a visual analog scale (VAS). A total of 885 women chose surgical and 947 medical abortion. The primary end-point was satisfaction VAS score 20 days after the procedure. Secondary end-points were: difference between pre- and post-abortion VAS score; difference in satisfaction VAS scores according to parity and previous abortion; incidence of side effects. RESULTS: VAS score was high in each group but significantly higher for the 1-day surgical than for the 3-day medical abortion procedure (7.9 ± 1.0 versus 7.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.0001). In the surgical group the VAS score increased after the treatment (6.9 ± 1.6 versus 7.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.0001), while it decreased in the medical group (7.5 ± 1.0 versus 7.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.0001). Multiparous women reported higher satisfaction with medical abortion; women with a previous abortion preferred surgical abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures are considered satisfactory by the patients. Performing medical abortion as a 3-day "in patient" procedure, decreased women's satisfaction scores from their baseline expectations.

Accuracy of Hysteroscopic Metroplasty With the Combination of Presurgical 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography and a Novel Graduated Intrauterine Palpator: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

UNLABELLED: STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the use of a novel graduated intrauterine palpator can improve the accuracy of hysteroscopic metroplasty, introducing objective intraoperative criteria. DESIGN: A prospective randomized study (Canadian Task Force I, evidence obtained from a properly design, randomized, controlled trial). SETTING: University Federico II hysteroscopic clinic. PATIENTS: Ninety women with a uterine septum diagnosed during office hysteroscopy and 3-dimesional transvaginal ultrasound (3D-TVS) were randomized into 2 groups: group T (metroplasty with intrauterine palpator) (n = 45) and group C (metroplasty without intrauterine palpator) (n = 45). INTERVENTIONS: Outpatient hysteroscopic metroplasty under conscious sedation using a 5-mm hysteroscope and miniaturized 5F instruments including a bipolar electrode for the removal of three quarters of the septum, blunt scissors to refine the base of the septum, and an intrauterine palpator to measure the portion of the removed septum (only group T). 3D-TVS and second-look hysteroscopy were used to identify the number of optimal (residual septum <5 mm), suboptimal (residual septum 5-10 mm), and incomplete resections (residual septum >10 mm). In group T, metroplasty was stopped when the intrauterine palpator showed that the resected septum corresponded to presurgical ultrasonographic measurements in order to obtain a fundal notch of 1.0 cm. In group C, metroplasty was interrupted once the tubal ostia were clearly visible on the same line and/or hemorrhage from small myometrial vessels of the fundus was observed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The proportion of patients with complete septum resection was significantly higher in group T (71.5% vs 41%, χ(2): p = .006; relative risk: 1.684; 95% confidence interval, 1.116-2.506). Suboptimal resection was achieved in 13 cases (28.5%) in group T and 14 cases (20%) in group C, whereas incomplete resection was observed in only 12 patients in group C (27%). CONCLUSION: Presurgical evaluation with 3D-TVS together with the use of a graduate intrauterine palpator improves the accuracy of hysteroscopic metroplasty, allowing complete removal of a uterine septum in 1 surgical step.

Vaginohysteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions.

BACKGROUND: The vaginoscopic approach for hysteroscopy allows detailed endoscopic evaluation of the vaginal walls, fornices, and exocervix. OBJECTIVES: To review the feasibility and efficacy of vaginohysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions. SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic review was performed of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database to identify papers published in English. The search terms were "hysteroscopy," "vaginoscopy," "vagino-hysteroscopy," and "vaginal lesion." The last review was performed on January 31, 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies in which the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions used the vaginoscopic approach and hysteroscopic instrumentation were reviewed. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted from the identified studies and then analyzed. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies were reviewed. Eleven described one case; one reported observations from two patients, and one study reported a case series. All vaginohysteroscopies reported were performed successfully and without significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginohysteroscopy is an easy way to gain access to the cervical canal and an important tool with which to diagnose and treat vaginal lesions.

Hysteroscopic treatment of Müllerian duct anomalies.

Müllerian duct anomalies are a broad and complex spectrum of abnormalities that are often associated with infertility, obstetric complications as well as gynecological disorders among women of reproductive age. Operative hysteroscopy is the gold standard in the treatment of most of those anomalies amenable to surgical correction. The evidence to date shows an ongoing increase in the release of recommendations in favour of operative hysteroscopic treatment, in concert with the progressive refinement of hysteroscopic technologies and techniques. The aim of this paper was to describe and critically evaluate the role of the currently available hysteroscopic techniques for treating Müllerian duct anomalies, taking into account their indications, feasibility and efficacy as well as their impact on the reproductive outcome. Special attention will be paid to the most recently developed minimally invasive treatments for uterine and vaginal anomalies.

Efficacy and safety of the trans-obturator TVT-Abbrevo device in normal weight compared to overweight patients affected by stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if TVT-Abbrevo has similar outcomes in normal weight and overweight patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation of 205 (105 normal weight women and 100 overweight women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) undergone TVT-Abbrevo positioning with 12 month follow-up. Primary outcomes were objective cure rate (defined as no leakage during CST) and subjective cure rate ("very much improved"/"much improved" at PGI-I), secondary outcomes were intra-operative and post-operative complications. RESULTS: Objective cure rates in the normal and overweight groups were 96.2% and 94%, respectively (p=.47). Subjective cure rates in the normal and overweight groups were 90.5% and 88%, respectively (p=.57). ICIQ-SF, I-QoL and PGI-S scores significantly improved in both groups with no differences between the two groups. No serious intra- or post-operative complications were observed. No differences were observed in pain VAS scores and number of analgesic vials administered. CONCLUSIONS: TVT-Abbrevo seems to have similar efficacy and safety in normal weight and overweight women. More studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this device in frankly obese women and long-term outcomes.

The Challenging Intrauterine Contraceptive: In-office Hysteroscopic Approach.

STUDY OBJECT: To describe 3 cases of misplaced or retained Intrauterine Contraceptive (IUC) that were successfully resolved by hysteroscopy performed in an ambulatory setting using miniaturized electrosurgical and mechanical operative instruments. DESIGN: Step-by-step description of the technique using slides, pictures, and video (educative video) (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Misplaced or retained IUC may be related to several causes; incorrect insertion is the leading cause. In these cases, patients may complain of abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pregnancy or they may remain asymptomatic. When a displaced IUC is suspected, transvaginal ultrasonography is the primary investigation followed by radiography in cases in which the IUC is not seen within the uterus. Additional imaging such as computed tomographic scanning or magnetic resonance imaging may be needed. Hysteroscopy represents the gold standard for diagnostic clarification and management of a dislocated or embedded IUC. INTERVENTIONS: The hysteroscopic approach of the 3 cases was the following: removal of a partially perforating IUD in the cesarean scar pouch, repositioning of a dislocated IUS in the isthmocele, and removal of an embedded IUS in the cornual area. The procedures were performed in an ambulatory setting using a 5-mm continuous flow hysteroscope and vaginoscopic approach without any analgesia and/or anesthesia. The alternate use of mechanical and electrosurgical 5F instruments allowed us to separate the IUC from the myometrial uterine wall, respecting the healthy myometrium and without causing significant patient discomfort or complications. CONCLUSION: The possibility of using miniaturized electrosurgical and mechanical instruments with small-diameter hysteroscopes offers the possibility of an effective, safe, cost-efficient, and well-tolerated removal or repositioning of a misplaced or retained IUC. This minimally invasive approach can be performed in an office setting to avoid more invasive and traumatic approaches.

An Exceptional Case of Complete Septate Uterus With Unilateral Cervical Aplasia (Class U2bC3V0/ESHRE/ESGE Classification) and Isolated Mullerian Remnants: Combined Hysteroscopic and Laparoscopic Treatment.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To report the combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic treatment of a complete septate uterus with unilateral cervical aplasia (class U2bC3V0/ESHRE/ESGE classification) and isolated mullerian remnants. DESIGN: Step-by-step presentation of the surgical treatment (Canadian Task Force classification 4). SETTING: Complete septate uterus with unilateral cervical aplasia (formally Robert's uterus) is characterized by the presence of a uterine septum completely dividing the endometrial cavity into an obstructed hemicavity and a contralateral nonobstructing hemicavity connected normally to the existing cervix. It has always been described as isolated without any associated anomaly. PATIENT: A 30-year-old woman was referred to our department for dysmenorrhea and primary infertility. Hysterosalpingography showed the presence of a right (RT) hemiuterus with a patent fallopian tube; further evaluation with 2- and 3-dimensional ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed an externally normal-appearing uterus, a right normal hemicavity connected normally with the existed cervix and, a left hemicavity fully divided from the right one by a complete septum and not connected with the cervix. Interestingly, a peculiar complex mass with cystic areas, attached posterolaterally from the left side to the uterine wall at the level of the isthmus and the upper cervix, was also diagnosed. INTERVENTIONS: The study protocol was approved by our local institutional review board. During outpatient hysteroscopy, a right uterine hemicavity with a single ostium was identified without any communication with the left hemicavity. The patient was then scheduled for combined laparoscopic and hysteroscopic treatment. During laparoscopy, a normal uterine body with multiple myomas and a pseudocystic lesion attached posteriorly and left laterally to the uterus at the level of the isthmus and the upper cervix were shown; no communication between the cystic part of that lesion and the isthmus or the cervicovaginal canal was observed. During hysteroscopy, a longitudinal incision of the septum with a 5F bipolar electrode was performed; the left hemicavity was opened, and the corresponding tubal ostium was identified. The pseudocystic lesion was then excised after opening and sent for pathological analysis; the defect was closed with interrupted intracorporeal knots. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A single normal endometrial cavity with both tubal ostia was obtained, thus restoring obstruction by unification of the uterine cavity. A histologic report of the removed pseudocystic lesion was compatible with the diagnosis of mullerian remnants. A follow-up hysteroscopy 3 months after showed a normal uterine cavity without postsurgical adhesions. CONCLUSION: The use of 3-dimensional ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in combination with the new ESHRE/ESGE classification system gives the opportunity to obtain a precise representation of the female genital anatomy even in the presence of complex anomalies. Although a septate uterus with unilateral cervical aplasia has been already described, the presence of mullerian remnants is a rare entity associated with cyclic pelvic pain, thus needing adequate recognition and treatment. The combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approach offers a unique opportunity for the treatment of complex anomalies.

Ambulatory management of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) has significant adverse effects on the quality of life of many women, placing an economic burden on both health services and society at large. Thus, it is essential that all women with HMB have easy access to the proper diagnostic and therapeutic work-up in an outpatient fashion, avoiding the more time-consuming inpatient management. This new outpatient approach for HMB is one of the latest development of gynecological practice and can offer both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This manuscript aims to show the current possibilities of the modern management of HMB, which can be safely and effectively accomplished in the outpatient setting: global and directed endometrial biopsy, levonorgestrel intrauterine system insertion as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures (encompassing a variety of operative hysteroscopic procedures and second-generation endometrial ablation) are described below.