[Continuous flow hysteroscopy. An improved endoscopic method for examination of the uterine cavity]

Abstract

A new technique for hysteroscopic visualisation of the uterine cavity has significantly increased the accuracy of diagnosing intrauterine disorders. Major breakthroughs in this field have been the introduction of the use of continuous flow hysteroscopy. We describe the recent development of the new generation continuous flow hysteroscope and our experience of the first 91 continuous flow hysteroscopies in paracervical block at our outpatient clinic. The problems of mucus, blood and debris, which earlier could disturbingly blur the vision when using CO2 as distension medium, have now been overcome with the new generation continuous flow hysteroscope. During the period from 1 February to 31 July 1994 we performed in paracervical block 91 continuous flow hysteroscopies at our outpatient clinic. We experienced no failure in the examinations, and had no complications. We found normal uterine cavity in 53% of the patients, macroscopic pathology in 44% and in 3% of the patients a missed intrauterine device was located in the uterine cavity.