title: 'See and treat' outpatient hysteroscopy with novel fibreoptic 'Alphascope'.
abstract: This paper describes an experience with the Alphascope, a fibreoptic hysteroscopy system (Gynecare, Ethicon Women's Health and Urology). This prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary hospital in Naples, Italy. The study population comprised patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy with the semi-rigid Versascope Hysteroscopy System using the Alphascope. 7-Fr gauge mechanical instruments and 5-Fr bipolar electrodes (Versapoint, Gynecare, Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ) were used for the operative procedures. Outpatient hysteroscopy was successful in 97% of cases. These were diagnostic in 41%, while operative hysteroscopy was performed in 59% of cases. The endoscopic view was subjectively defined by the operator as good/excellent in 95% of procedures. A total of 98% of patients expressed moderate/high degree of satisfaction and only 2% were dissatisfied. The system is successful in the outpatient setting in 95% of attempts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy. cdispie@tin.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Spiezio Sardo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zizolfi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lodhi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020702:Hysteroscopes; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies