Using a 16-French resectoscope as an alternative device in the treatment of uterine lesions: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a 16-French resectoscope with a 22-French resectoscope and a 15-French hysteroscope for the treatment of uterine cavity lesions.


METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized study of women with endometrial polyps or submucous myomas treated with a 16-French resectoscope, a traditional 22-French resectoscope, or a 15-French hysteroscope. The operating time, volume of distension medium delivered, discharge time, and patient discomfort by visual analog scale were recorded. Data were compared by one-way and two-way analysis of variance as appropriate.


RESULTS
Four hundred one women were included in the analysis. All four parameters showed lower values in the 16-French resectoscope group (142 women) compared with the 15-French hysteroscope group (132 women; P<.01). The mean operating time was 10.87±2.87 minutes in the 22-French group (127 women), 8.33±2.94 minutes in the 16-French group, and 17.11±6.86 minutes in the 15-French group. The mean volume of distension medium delivered was 1,043±230 mL in the 22-French group, 991±442 mL in the 16-French group, and 1,489±566 mL in the 15-French group. The mean discharge time was 1.99±0.72 hours in the 22-French group, 1.08±0.18 hours in the 16-French group, and 1.89±0.68 hours in the 15-French group. Finally, the mean visual analog scale scores were 2.10±0.97 in the 22-French group, 1.93±1.03 in the 16-French group, and 4.00±1.61 in the 15-French group. An analysis of patients subdivided according to the lesion size (less than 1.5 cm and more than 1.5 cm in diameter) showed similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
The new 16-French resectoscope is effective for the "see and treat" approach for both small (less than 1.5 cm diameter) and large (more than 1.5 cm diameter) uterine lesions.
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, and Policlinico Abano Terme, Padua, and the Oasi Institute for Research, Troina, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Ricciardi
Antonio
A
Lanzone
Valeria
V
Tagliaferri
Christian
C
Di Florio
Luigi
L
Ricciardi
Luigi
L
Selvaggi
Maurizio
M
Guido
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020702:Hysteroscopes; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult