Initial experience with hysteroscopic tubal occlusion (Essure®) / Experiência inicial com a oclusão tubária por via histeroscópica (Essure®)

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate results of early tubal occlusions performed by hysteroscopy (Essure®). Methods This prospective study included 38 patients, 73.7% of them were white, mean age 34.5 years, they have had on average 3 pregnancies and 2.7 of deliveries. A total of 86.8% of patients previously prepared the endometrium. All procedures were carried out at outpatient unit without anesthesia. Results Insertion rate of the device was 100% at a mean time of 4 minutes and 50 seconds. Based on the analogical visual scale, average pain reported was three, and 55.3% of women did not report pain after the procedure. After 3 months, 89.5% of patients were very satisfied with the method. Simple radiographs of the pelvis showed 92.1% of topical devices, and one case of unilateral expulsion had occurred. A four years follow-up did not show failure in the method. Conclusions Tubal occlusion through hysteroscopy at outpatient unit and without anesthesia was a quickly and well-tolerated procedure. No serious complications were seen, the success rate was high, and patients were satisfied.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os resultados das primeiras oclusões tubárias realizadas pela via histeroscópica (Essure®). Métodos Estudo prospectivo com 38 pacientes, sendo 73,7% caucasianas, com média de idade de 34,5 anos, e com 3 gestações e 2,7 partos em média. Do total, 86,8% das pacientes fizeram preparo prévio do endométrio. Todos os procedimentos foram ambulatoriais e sem anestesia. Resultados A taxa de inserção do dispositivo foi de 100%, com tempo médio de 4 minutos e 50 segundos. Segundo a Escala Visual Analógica, a dor média obtida foi de três, e 55,3% das mulheres não referiram qualquer dor após o método. Ocorreu um caso de reflexo vagal e 89,5% das pacientes retornaram às atividades normais no mesmo dia. Após 3 meses, 89,5% das pacientes encontravam-se muito satisfeitas com o método. A radiografia simples da pelve evidenciou 92,1% de dispositivos tópicos, ocorrendo um caso de expulsão unilateral. Após 4 anos de seguimento, não houve falha do método. Conclusão A oclusão tubária por via histeroscópica em regime ambulatorial e sem anestesia foi um procedimento rápido, bem tolerado, isento de complicações graves e com alta taxa de sucesso e satisfação das pacientes.

Hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation of submucosal fibroids: preliminary results in Hong Kong and comparisons with conventional hysteroscopic monopolar loop resection.

INTRODUCTION: Hysteroscopic management of submucosal fibroids using the intrauterine morcellation technique is increasingly being adopted worldwide but no literature concerning its safety and efficacy is available within our local population. We aimed to determine the safety, satisfaction, and efficiency of hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation of submucosal fibroids, and to compare this technique with conventional hysteroscopic monopolar loop resection to identify its potential benefits. METHODS: All cases of hysteroscopic resection of submucosal fibroids performed in a regional hospital in Hong Kong between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014, either by hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation (MyoSure; Hologic, Bedford [MA], US) or conventional hysteroscopic monopolar loop resection, were selected and case notes reviewed. Technical details such as fibroid size, operating time, fluid deficit, operative complications, patient satisfaction, and improvement in haemoglobin level were analysed and compared between the hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation and the conventional groups. All statistical results were calculated using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: During the 3-year period, 29 cases of submucosal fibroids were managed by hysteroscopic surgery. Conventional hysteroscopic monopolar loop resection was performed in 14 patients and another 15 underwent hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation with the MyoSure device. At 3-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in overall patient satisfaction (84.6% for conventional method vs 93.3% for hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation method; P=0.841). Both techniques showed improvement in haemoglobin level at 3 months but without significant difference between the two groups: +21.5 g/L (+1 to +44 g/L) for conventional group and +17.0 g/L (-4 to +40 g/L) for hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation group (P=0.235). Both techniques achieved 100% satisfaction if the submucosal fibroid had over 60% of its contents protruding into the uterine cavity. The operating time was significantly reduced for the hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation technique (mean, 36.6 mins vs 53.6 mins in conventional hysteroscopic monopolar loop resection; P=0.005), particularly in those whose fibroids were ≤3.0 cm (mean, 27.6 mins vs 53.4 mins; P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective review suggests that hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellation of submucosal fibroids is a safe and effective method in the management of menorrhagia in Chinese women. Preliminary data suggest this technique to be less time-consuming, especially when managing fibroids of ≤3.0 cm.

Desfecho reprodutivo após septoplastia histeroscópica: estudo retrospectivo / Reproductive outcomes after hysteroscopic septoplasty: a retrospective study

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados reprodutivos após septoplastia histeroscópica. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospetivo observacional por meio de análise dos registos clínicos de 28 mulheres com antecedentes de infertilidade ou de abortos recorrentes, submetidas à septoplastia histeroscópica. Para a avaliação do desfecho reprodutivo foram consultados os registos informáticos dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários e do nosso Centro Hospitalar, no período compreendido entre a septoplastia e a primeira gravidez ou o presente. Os outcomes primários foram a taxa de gravidez, de recém-nascidos e de abortos após septoplastia. O septo uterino foi diagnosticado por ecografia 2D ou 3D e classificado de acordo com a classificação da American Fertility Society. A septoplastia foi realizada na fase folicular do ciclo menstrual, com recurso da energia monopolar, bipolar e/ou microtesoura. Os programas Microsoft Excel e SPSS versão 17 foram utilizados para comparação do desfecho reprodutivo prévio e posterior à septoplastia. Foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher, considerando significado estatístico quando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Foi realizada septoplastia histeroscópica em 20 doentes (72%) com infertilidade secundária e 8 (28%) com infertilidade primária, tendo sido necessária segunda intervenção para remoção completa do septo em 5 casos (18%). Ocorreu um caso perfuração uterina minor. Após septoplastia histeroscópica, 64% das mulheres engravidaram, obtendo-se uma taxa de nados vivos de 48%; gravidez tubária de 4%; e 19% das doentes tiveram abortos espontâneos. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados do presente estudo estão de acordo com o descrito na literatura, tendo-se obtido uma melhoria significativa dos desfechos reprodutivos, com uma redução da taxa de aborto espontâneo de cinco vezes após a septoplastia histeroscópica. .

PURPOSE: To assess the reproductive outcomes after hysteroscopic septoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed with analysis of the medical records of 28 women with infertility or recurrent abortions undergoing hysteroscopic septoplasty. To evaluate reproductive outcomes we consulted the medical records of our hospital and of primary health care units between septoplasty and the present or first pregnancy. Primary outcomes were pregnancy rate, newborns, and abortions after septoplasty. Uterine septum was diagnosed by 2D or 3D ultrasound and classified according to the American Fertility Society. All procedures were performed in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle using monopolar or bipolar energy and/or microscissors. To compare the reproductive outcomes before and after septoplasty we used Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 17. Fisher's exact test was considered statistically significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: Hysteroscopic septoplasty was performed in 20 patients (72%) with secondary infertility and in 8 patients (28%) with primary infertility. The septum was incompletely removed during the first hysteroscopy in 5 cases (18%), which required a second surgery. One case was complicated with minor uterine perforation. After hysteroscopic septoplasty, 64% of women became pregnant and 48% live neonates were delivered; 4% of the patients had a tubal pregnancy; and 19% had miscarriages. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are consistent with those described in the literature. Patients obtained a significant improvement of reproductive outcomes with a fivefold reduction in miscarriage rate after hysteroscopic septoplasty. .

Endometrial preparation with desogestrel before Essure hysteroscopic sterilization: preliminary study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of desogestrel on endometrial preparation for transcervical sterilization using the Essure device. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Acute-care university-affiliated hospital in Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS: Women undergoing sterilization using the Essure device between January 2010 and January 2011. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were offered desogestrel, 75 µg/d, for 6 weeks before the procedure. Sixteen who accepted were included in the desogestrel group, and 18 who refused were allocated to the no-treatment group. Endometrial biopsy samples were also obtained. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In women who received desogestrel, decidual transformation was observed in eight, glandular atrophy in three, and proliferative endometrium in five. In the no-treatment group, two women had menstruation, nine had proliferative endometrium, and seven had secretory endometrium. In the desogestrel group, the procedure was successful in all women. In the no-treatment group, the procedure was cancelled in two women because of menstruation and in four women with secretory endometrium in whom the tubal ostia were difficult to visualize because of endometrial thickness and bleeding. The median (interquartile range, 25th-75th percentile) duration of the procedure was shorter in the desogestrel group than in the no-treatment group (7 [6-7] minutes vs 8 [7-12] minutes; p = .002). CONCLUSION: Desogestrel, 75 µg/d, could be an alternative to combined hormonal contraception before placement of Essure inserts, facilitating the procedure and serving as a contraceptive method during the following 12 weeks until occlusion of the tubes.

O valor da histeroscopia diagnóstica com biópsia no pré-operatório de ablação endometrial / The value of diagnostic hysteroscopy with biopsy in the preoperative of endometrial ablation

Objective: To assess the value of diagnostic hysteroscopy with biopsy in the preoperative preparation for endometrial ablation. Methods: It was a prospective non-randomized study conducted at the division of Gynecologic Endoscopy of Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira" from March 2007 to May 2009. A total of 45 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, and referred to endometrial ablation were included. All women underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy, and were treated with a GnRH analogous - goserelin - 10.8 mg before surgery. The endometrial ablation was performed with a surgical resectoscope. Patients were submitted to one directed endometrial biopsy, one guided endometrial biopsy with Novak curette, and to endometrial ablation, which was considered as reference for pathological examination with samples from the biopsies. Data were analyze using the SPSS-v16 software, and considered significance at p = 0.05. Results: The mean age of women was 44.20 years (33-56), parity of 2.67 (0-9), uterus size of 139.99 calculated in cc (42-278), and the mean duration of symptoms was 3.68 years (0.5-15). The guided endometrial biopsy showed sensitivity of 80% for endometrium without atypia, and the directed endometrial biopsy had sensitivity of 60%. For proliferative endometrium the directed endometrial biopsy showed sensitivity of 76 and 100% for secretory endometrium, which was higher than the guided endometrial biopsy with 53 and 50%, respectively. Conclusion: The directed biopsy before endometrial ablation had lower sensitivity than guided biopsy for endometrium without atypia, however it was higher for proliferative and secretory endometrium.

Objetivo: Analisar o valor da biópsia de endométrio no pré-operatório de ablação endometrial. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo não randomizado realizado no setor de Endoscopia Ginecológica do Hospital do Servidor Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira" de março de 2007 a maio de 2009, de 45 pacientes encaminhadas por sangramento uterino anormal com indicação de ablação do endométrio. Todas as pacientes tinham histeroscopia diagnóstica prévia à cirurgia e receberam análogo de GnRH - goserelina - 10,8 mg subcutânea no pré-operatório. A ablação de endométrio foi realizada com ressectoscópio cirúrgico. Foram realizadas: uma biópsia dirigida, uma biópsia orientada com cureta de Novak e, em seguida, a ablação, enviando-se o produto dessa (considerado como referência) e o das biópsias para exame anatomopatológico. O teste exato de Fisher foi utilizado para comparar os três tipos de biópsia. Nível de significância foi estabelecido em p = 0,05. Resultados: A média de idade das pacientes foi de 44,20 anos (33-56), paridade de 2,67 filhos (0-9), volume uterino 139,99 cc (42-278) e sintomas em anos média de 3,68 (0,5-15). A biópsia orientada apresentou para endométrio sem atipias maior sensibilidade (80%) que a biópsia dirigida (60%). Para o resultado de endométrio proliferativo e secretor, a biópsia dirigida apresentou sensibilidade de 76 e 100%, respectivamente, superior à orientada (53 e 50%). Conclusão: A biópsia dirigida prévia à ablação do endométrio tem menor sensibilidade que a orientada para endométrio sem atipias, porém maior para endométrio proliferativo e secretor.

Evaluation of pain in outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy with gas / Avaliação da dor na histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial com gás

Objective: To evaluate the intensity of pain reported by patients undergoing outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy. Methods: Exam performed with a 5-mm lens hysteroscope, vaginal speculum, tenaculum and uterine distention with carbon dioxide gas. Before and after the examination, patients were interviewed to define, in a verbal scale from 0 to 10, pain values that they expected to feel and that they experienced after the end, and also if they would repeat it if indicated. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 15.0, statistic significance was defined as p < 0.05 with a study power of 95%. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included with mean age of 50.9 years, with 32.8% at postmenopause and 6.9% nulliparous. Among those with previous deliveries, mean parity was 2.21 and at least one vaginal delivery had occurred in 63.8%. Only 24.1% of patients knew how the exam would be done, 62.1% needed an endometrial sample and the result was considered satisfactory in 89.7%. The means of expected and experienced pain were similar (6.0 versus 6.1), and 91.4% of women would repeat the hysteroscopy if necessary. The only factor associated with less pain after the exam was previous vaginal delivery, with a decrease of pain score from 7.1 to 5.5 (p = 0.03). Mean pain was significantly lower in those who agreed to repeat the exam (5.8 versus 9.4; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy with gas can be associated with moderate but tolerable discomfort and satisfactory results.

Objetivo: Avaliar a intensidade da dor referida pelas pacientes submetidas à histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial. Métodos: Exame realizado com ótica de 5 mm, espéculo, pinçamento do colo com Pozzi e distensão da cavidade uterina com dióxido de carbono. Antes e depois do exame, as pacientes foram entrevistadas para definir, em uma escala verbal de 0 a 10, valores para espectativa de dor e dor experimentada após seu término, e também se elas o repetiriam se houvesse indicação. Os dados foram analisados no Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 15.0, com significância estatística definida como p < 0,05 e poder do teste de 95%. Resultados: Foram incluídas 58 pacientes, com idade média de 50,9 anos, sendo 32,8% na pós-menopausa e 6,9% nulíparas. Dentre as pacientes com partos anteriores, a paridade média foi 2,21 e pelo menos um parto normal ocorreu em 63,8%. Apenas 24,1% das pacientes sabiam como o exame seria feito, 62,1% necessitaram de biópsia endometrial e o resultado foi considerado satisfatório em 89,7% dos casos. As médias de dor esperada e referida pelas pacientes foram semelhantes (6,0 versus 6,1), e 91,4% das mulheres repetiriam a histeroscopia quando necessário. O único fator associado à redução da dor após o exame foi o antecedente de parto normal, com queda de 7,1 para 5,5 (p = 0,03). A média de dor foi significativamente menor nas pacientes que aceitariam repetir o exame (5,8 versus 9,4; p = 0,003). Conclusões: A histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial com gás pode estar associada a desconforto moderado, porém tolerável, com resultados satisfatórios.