title: Resectoscopic versus bipolar electrode excision of endometrial polyps: a randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate operative resectoscopy versus hysteroscopic bipolar electrode excision for the treatment of endometrial polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary-care university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive patients with endometrial polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy, and after assignment on a random basis, they underwent polyp excision either by operative resectoscopy or by a bipolar electrode passed through the operating sheath of a small-caliber hysteroscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) AND RESULT(S): Operating times, difficulty of the operation, surgeon satisfaction with the procedure, intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative pain, and patient satisfaction were recorded. The two procedures did not differ in total surgery times. In subgroup analysis, the resectoscope was faster for large polyps (>2 cm) and for polyps with a fundal implant. The bipolar electric probe was faster for small polyps (<2 cm) and for polyps with a nonfundal implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative resectoscopy appears to be the technique of choice for endometrial polyps >2 cm or with a fundal implant. Bipolar electrode excision appears to be preferable for smaller, nonfundal polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy. l.muzii@unicampus.it <l.muzii@unicampus.it>
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muzii
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pernice
authors.forename: Natalina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manci
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Angioli
authors.forename: Pierluigi Benedetti
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Panici
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004566:Electrodes; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020702:Hysteroscopes; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method