title: Vaginohysteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vaginoscopic approach for hysteroscopy allows detailed endoscopic evaluation of the vaginal walls, fornices, and exocervix.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the feasibility and efficacy of vaginohysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review was performed of PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database to identify papers published in English. The search terms were "hysteroscopy," "vaginoscopy," "vagino-hysteroscopy," and "vaginal lesion." The last review was performed on January 31, 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies in which the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal lesions used the vaginoscopic approach and hysteroscopic instrumentation were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted from the identified studies and then analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen studies were reviewed. Eleven described one case; one reported observations from two patients, and one study reported a case series. All vaginohysteroscopies reported were performed successfully and without significant complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginohysteroscopy is an easy way to gain access to the cervical canal and an important tool with which to diagnose and treat vaginal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Spiezio Sardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Brunella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zizolfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Palermo "P. Giaccone", Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: gloria.calagna83@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina / Q000503:physiopathology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Hysteroscopy; Vaginal lesion; Vaginohysteroscopy; Vaginoscopy