Surgical Procedures -

Hysteroscopy

This procedure involves the insertion of a thin, lighted, telescope-like instrument known as a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. This enables the full examination of the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy for diagnostic purposes can be done in the doctor's office with local anesthesia and mild to moderate sedation, or in an operating room with full anesthesia when significant intrauterine changes are suspected. Most pathological changes within the uterus can be dealt with at the time of hysteroscopy under anesthesia.

Most frequent hysteroscopy findings are intrauterine adhesions (synechia), polyps or tumors within the uterine cavity, and closure of the tubes at the uterine opening (ostia). All these conditions can be handled satisfactorily by an experienced hysteroscopist using appropriate equipment. The adhesions, polyps and tumors can be resected with special instrumentation and the proximal closure of the fallopian tubes opened. These operations are somewhat tricky, but in the hands of an experienced surgeon complications should be rare.

Surgical Procedures