Confirmation of Essure microinsert tubal coil placement with conventional and volume-contrast imaging three-dimensional ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of ultrasound in the assessment of proximal fallopian tube positioning of the Essure microinsert coil 3 months after postprocedure.


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


METHODS
Reproductive-age women in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Reproductive-age women presenting with a request for permanent contraception.


METHODS
Hysteroscopic sterilization with the Essure microinsert coil and conventional or volume-contrast three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging 3 months after the procedure.


METHODS
Coil position on ultrasound.


RESULTS
Forty-eight of the 50 patients had successful placement of the Essure coils, and three patients required a second attempt on one tube. Conventional or volume-contrast (3D) ultrasound showed proper positioning of the coils within the proximal fallopian tube in 42 women (84%); five women (10%) required hysterosalpingogram to show appropriate positioning. Two patients (4%) required laparoscopic tubal sterilization, and one patient (2%) was lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal ultrasound is an acceptable method of confirming proper placement of the Essure microinsert coil within the proximal fallopian tube 3 months after the procedure.
Thiel
John A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. drjthiel@aol.com
Suchet
Ian B
IB
Lortie
Karine
K
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery