Hysteroscopic Endometrial Ablation: From Indications to Instrumentation and Techniques—A Call to Action

The development of minimally invasive techniques has led to the creation of innovative alternatives in cases where traditional methods are not applicable. In modern gynecology, hysteroscopy has become the gold standard for the evaluation and treatment of intrauterine pathology. Endometrial ablation (EA) is a procedure that uses different types of energy to destroy the endometrium and is currently used as an alternative technique in cases of heavy menstrual bleeding when medical treatment has failed and uterine preservation is desired. The aim of this review was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of hysteroscopic EA as an alternative in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. A detailed computerized search of the literature was performed in the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library), from 1994 to June 2022, to evaluate the outcomes in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) undergoing EA using hysteroscopic and non-hysteroscopic techniques. Only scientific publications in English were included. Twelve articles on the current use of endometrial ablation were included. Data on patient symptoms, tools used for EA, primary outcomes, and adverse events were recorded. EA should be considered an effective and safe approach in the management of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding caused by benign pathology, in whom medical treatment has failed or is contraindicated. Due to the lack of evidence, it would be interesting to determine whether EA would also have a role in the treatment of women with premalignant lesions, avoiding invasive surgical procedures or medical treatment in those patients for whom hysterectomy or the use of hormonal treatment is contraindicated

Endometrial osseous metaplasia: clinical presentation and follow-up

PURPOSE: to describe the clinical signs and symptoms of patients with bone metaplasia and to assess the risk factors for changes in these symptoms after removal of the bone fragment. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted on 16 patients with a diagnosis of bone fragments in the uterine cavity during the period comprising July 2006 to January 2009. The inclusion criterion was the detection of a bone fragment removed from the uterine cavity. The presence of bone tissue in the endometrial cavity was histologically confirmed in all patients. The data of all patients were obtained before and after removal by means of a questionnaire for the evaluation of the effect of removal on the symptoms and for the search of possible factors related to the onset of the disease. RESULTS: half the patients (8/16) had hemorrhagic symptoms and one third (6/16) were infertile. Removal of the fragments was quite effective in improving the complaints, with the disappearance of symptoms in all cases of hemorrhage and of pelvic pain. CONCLUSION: removal of bone fragments can restore the fertility of selected patients whose infertility is caused by bone metaplasia and is quite effective in leading to improvement in patients with pelvic pain and menorrhage.OBJETIVO: apresentar o quadro clínico das pacientes com metaplasia óssea e avaliar os fatores de risco, as mudanças dos sinais e sintomas após a retirada do fragmento ósseo. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo transversal com 16 pacientes diagnosticadas com fragmentos ósseos na cavidade uterina no período de julho de 2006 a janeiro de 2009. O critério de inclusão foi o achado de fragmento ósseo retirado da cavidade uterina. Todas as pacientes tiveram confirmação histológica de presença de tecido ósseo na cavidade endometrial. Obtivemos os dados de todas as pacientes antes e depois da retirada por meio de um questionário para avaliar o efeito da retirada sobre a sintomatologia das pacientes, além da pesquisa de possíveis fatores relacionados ao aparecimento da doença. RESULTADOS: metade das pacientes (8/16) tinha sintomas hemorrágicos e um terço (6/16) apresentava infertilidade. A retirada dos fragmentos foi efetiva na melhora das queixas, havendo desaparecimento dos sintomas em todos os casos de menorragia e dor pélvica. CONCLUSÃO: A retirada do fragmento ósseo pode restaurar a fertilidade em pacientes selecionadas e que tenham como causa a metaplasia óssea, além de ser bastante efetiva em proporcionar melhora nos casos que cursam com dor pélvica e menorragia.Ministério da SaúdeUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Departamento de GinecologiaUniversidade Federal Fluminense Departamento de GinecologiaMinistério da Saúde Hospital dos Servidores do Estado do Rio de JaneiroUNIFESPSciEL

HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY

Leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumors. Submucosal fibroids are a common cause of abnormal bleeding and infertility. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the definitive management of symptomatic submucosal fibroids, with high efficacy and safety. Several techniques have been introduced over time and will be covered in depth in this manuscript. Advances in optics, fluid management, electrosurgery, smaller diameter scopes, and tissue removal systems, along with improved training have contributed to improving the safety and efficiency of hysteroscopic myomectomy

Thirteen steps for office hysteroscopy with minimal discomfort

The Office hysteroscopy (OH) is a important procedure to make diagnosis and sometimes, treatment, of intrauterine pathology, without getting the patient to Operating Room. Its advantages are very well known: less costs, fast diagnosis, see and treat and several others. It's mainly difficulty is the discomfort during the procedure. To stimule to grow the number of gynecologist to leave OR and to go to office hysteroscopy, we propose thirteen steps for office hysteroscopy with minimal discomfort

HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY

Leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumors. Submucosal fibroids are a common cause of abnormal bleeding and infertility. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the definitive management of symptomatic submucosal fibroids, with high efficacy and safety. Several techniques have been introduced over time and will be covered in depth in this manuscript. Advances in optics, fluid management, electrosurgery, smaller diameter scopes, and tissue removal systems, along with improved training have contributed to improving the safety and efficiency of hysteroscopic myomectomy

Hysteroscopic myomectomy in a submucous fibroid near from tubal ostia and 5 mm from the serosa: A case report from the Endoscopy Service of Ginendo-RJ

This is a case report of a 27-year-old white woman, nuliparous, single, who presented a heavy menstrual flow with clots, dysmenorrhoea and anaemia. Gynaecological examination of the uterus revealed anteverted position, mobility, no pain, slight enlargement and right displacement. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed a 29-mm submucous fibroid with intramural component more than 50%, type 2, in the posterior wall, with a 5-mm distance from serosa. In office hysteroscopy, a 30-mm submucous fibroid with an intramural component with more than 50%, type 2, near around 5 mm from left tubal ostia, classified in STEP-W submucous fibroids classification as score 6, group II, was noted. GnRH analogue was indicated for 3 months before intervention to treat anaemia. The patient was submitted to hysteroscopic myomectomy with direct mobilisation technique, with the fibroid completely removed without complications in a surgery which lasted for 52 min and 20 s. © 2008 Springer-Verlag

Avaliação histeroscópica em pacientes com infertilidade Hysteroscopic evaluation in patients with infertility

OBJETIVO: descrever os achados da histeroscopia em pacientes com infertilidade. MÉTODOS: série retrospectiva de 953 pacientes com diagnóstico de infertilidade avaliadas por histeroscopia. As 957 pacientes em pesquisa de infertilidade foram submetidas à histeroscopia, preferencialmente na primeira fase do ciclo menstrual. Quando necessário, foram realizadas as biópsias, dirigida (sob visão direta durante o exame) ou orientada, utilizando uma cureta de Novak após definir o local a ser biopsiado durante o exame histeroscópico. Foram utilizadas porcentagens para determinação da frequência dos desfechos e teste de &#967;2 para correlações. O programa estatístico EpiInfo 2000 (CDC) foi utilizado para análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: cavidade uterina normal foi encontrada em 436 casos (45,8%). Esse foi o diagnóstico mais frequente em mulheres com infertilidade primária e naquelas com nenhum ou um aborto (p<0,05). Achados anormais foram diagnosticados em 517 de 953 casos (54,2%) e incluíram sinéquias intrauterinas em 185 pacientes (19,4%), pólipo endometrial em 115 (12,1%), pólipos endocervicais em 66 (6,0%), miomas submucosos em 47 (4,9%), hiperplasia endometrial em 39 (4,1%), adenomiose em cinco (0,5%), endometrite (com confirmação histopatológica) em quatro (0,4%), metaplasia óssea endometrial em dois (0,4%) e câncer do endométrio em um caso (0,1%). Alterações morfológicas e funcionais do útero foram detectadas em 5,6% dos casos, incluindo malformações uterinas em 32 (3,4%) e incompetência istmo-cervical em 21 (2,2%). CONCLUSÕES: sinéquias intrauterinas foram os achados anormais mais frequentes em pacientes avaliadas para infertilidade. Pacientes com histórico de aborto e infertilidade devem ser submetidas à histeroscopia para descartar sinéquias intrauterinas como uma possível causa de infertilidade.<br>PURPOSE: to describe hysteroscopy findings in infertile patients. METHODS: this was a retrospective series of 953 patients with diagnosis of infertility evaluated by hysteroscopy. A total of 957 patients investigated for infertility were subjected to hysteroscopy, preferentially during the first phase of the menstrual cycle. When necessary, directed biopsies (under direct visualization during the exam) or guided biopsies were obtained using a Novak curette after defining the site to be biopsied during the hysteroscopic examination. Outcome frequencies were determined as percentages, and the &#967;2 test was used for the correlations. The statistical software EpiInfo 2000 (CDC) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: a normal uterine cavity was detected in 436 cases (45.8%). This was the most frequent diagnosis for women with primary infertility and for women with one or no abortion (p<0.05). Abnormal findings were obtained in 517 of 953 cases (54.2%), including intrauterine synechiae in 185 patients (19.4%), endometrial polyps in 115 (12.1%), endocervical polyps in 66 (6.0%), submucosal myomas in 47 (4.9%), endometrial hyperplasia in 39 (4.1%), adenomyosis in five (0.5%), endometritis (with histopathological confirmation) in four (0.4%), endometrial bone metaplasia in two (0.4%), and cancer of the endometrium in one case (0.1%). Morphological and functional changes of the uterus were detected in 5.6% of the cases, including uterine malformations in 32 (3.4%) and isthmus-cervical incompetence in 21 (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: intrauterine synechiae were the most frequent abnormal findings in patients evaluated for infertility. Patients with a history of abortion and infertility should be submitted to hysteroscopy in order to rule out intrauterine synechiae as a possible cause of infertility

Virtual sonographic hysteroscopy in assisted reproduction: A retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis

To analyze the cost-effectiveness of virtual sonographic hysteroscopy (VSH) performed before in vitro fertilization (IVF) (Scenario 1), frozen embryo transfer (Scenario 2), and oocyte donation (Scenario 3) attempts. A retrospective analysis of data extracted from patients' files was conducted. Before undergoing the assigned treatment, VSH was offered to all patients. Cost-effectiveness was calculated on the basis of cost per live birth. The total cost was compared with a control group of patients who declined to have hysteroscopy before their treatment. A total of 292 women were involved. Virtual sonographic hysteroscopy was performed in 192 women. Conventional operative hysteroscopy was subsequently required in 34 of them (17.7%). Subsequent assisted reproduction attempts resulted in live birth in 111 women-34/69 (49.3%), 35/69 (50.7%), and 42/54 (77.8%) in Scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This compared favorably with 100 women who declined VSH, with live birth achieved in 15/39 (38.5%), 14/37 (37.8%), and 15/24 (62.5%) in Scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The overall cost-effectiveness of VSH compared favorably with straightforward treatment performed without this test. The overall cost-effectiveness of treatment attempts carried out after previous VSH compared favorably with straightforward treatment performed without this test

Evaluation of clinical, ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic parameters in the differentiation of endometrial polyps and cancer of endometrium

Study Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and office hysteroscopy in the differentiation between endometrial polyps and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Design: This is a prospective 100 women longitudinal study, 24 to 80 years, submitted to hysteroscopic polypectomy (n = 80) or surgery due to endometrial adenocarcinoma (n = 20), from january 2010 to December 2011. Clinical, ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic parameters were analyzed and compared with histopathologic find. Statistical analysis were performed utilizing the Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn and Mann-Whitney test, with a confidence interval of 95% and p\0, 05 statiscally significant. Setting: Botucatu Medical School. Intervention: Prospective analysis of clinical, ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic parameters in patients with diagnosis suspected of endometrial polyps and adenocarcinoma of endometrium were performed. According to the diagnosis, hysteroscopic polypectomy or pan hysterectomy with lymph node sampling was realized. After the surgery and histopathological study, statistical analysis of parameters was performed and the results were compared between groups. It was Research Ethics Committee approved. Measurements and Main Results: There were no differences between age, BMI, menopause, TH use and associated diseases among groups. The main symptom of endometrial cancer was the postmenopausal bleeding, affecting 84,2% of women against 34,8% of polypectomy group. The majority of women with endometrial polyps were asymptomatic. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed no ability to differentiate cases of endometrial cancer compared with the cases of endometrial polyps, considering the presence of endometrial thickness and blood flow on color Doppler. Office hysteroscopy showed significant changes in 75% of the adenocarcinoma cases, especially the presence of diffuse hypervascularity with atypical vessels. Conclusion: Still remains an inability to establish clinical parameters and reliable ultrasound imaging to differentiate endometrial polyps and cancer of endometrium. Attention should be given to hysteroscopic exams presenting diffuse endometrial hypervascularization with architectural distortion of the vessels. The recommendation of our service remains the systematic removal of all endometrial polyps