Acceptability and pain of outpatient hysteroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pain and acceptability of diagnostic hysteroscopy performed without local anesthesia.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
University-associated department of obstetrics and gynecology.


METHODS
The 1144 consecutive women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy.


METHODS
Diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy as indicated.


RESULTS
Patients were asked to rate the pain experienced on a 10-cm visual analog scale and to state if they were willing to repeat the procedure. The mean pain score was 4.7 +/- 2.5; 398 patients (34.8%) experienced severe pain. No risk factors for painful hysteroscopy were found, although abnormality of the cervical canal was associated with high pain scores. Acceptance of the procedure was high, 83.0% (950 women).


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a painful procedure even when performed with atraumatic technique by experienced surgeons. Most women, however, stated they were willing to have a second procedure under the same conditions.
De Iaco
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitá di Bologna, via Massarenti 13, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Marabini
A
A
Stefanetti
M
M
Del Vecchio
C
C
Bovicelli
L
L
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis