Implementation of an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic at Waikato Women's Hospital report of the first 60 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To study the implementation of an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic at Waikato Women's Hospital and to assess the procedures carried out without the use of local anaesthesia.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational study.


RESULTS
The main indication for the procedure was menorrhagia in 32 patients (53.34%). Fifteen per cent patients were post-menopausal. The commonest pathology found was fibroids in 14 patients (23.34%). The procedure was considered completed when a detailed examination of the uterine cavity had been done. This was possible in 54 cases (90%). The main reasons for an incomplete/abandoned procedure (10% patients) were troublesome bleeding, blurred camera lens, post-menopausal stenosis and a possible false passage. Only six patients (10%) needed a paracervical block and therefore 90% underwent the procedure without the use of local anaesthesia. An endometrial biopsy was performed selectively in 47 patients and an adequate specimen was obtained in 43 cases (91.49%). Only five patients later underwent a hysteroscopy and D & C in the main theatre and therefore general anaesthesia was avoided in 55 patients (91.67%). Conclusions. Performance of outpatient hysteroscopy in an adequately selected group of patients is successful in a considerable number of patients. This office procedure may be done without local anaesthesia in 90% of cases.
Roman
J D
JD
Waikato Women's Hospital, Hamilton.
Trivedi
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AN
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome