Hysteroscopy

Types of Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy can be roughly classified into two types:

1. Diagnostic hysteroscopy
2. Operative hysteroscopy

What is a Diagnostic Hysteroscopy?

During a diagnostic hysteroscopy procedure, a hysteroscope, that is, a thin lens with a camera and light, is used to examine the inside of your uterus. A suction biopsy using small instrument as pipelle is usually performed with it.
It can be done in office with oral analgesics or local anaesthesia or sedation.

What is Operative Hysteroscopy?

During an operative hysteroscopy, small tools are inserted in the uterus through the hysteroscope to take a biopsy or remove a growth such as a polyp or a fibroid or treat other abnormalities. Its usually done in ambulatory surgery centre under sedation.

REASONS FOR DOING HYSTEROSCOPY:

• In cases of abnormal bleeding, it gives insights into the causes of the same
• Investigate possible causes of infertility
• Investigate the causes of repeated miscarriages.
• Detect benign or non-cancerous growths in the uterus, such as fibroids, polyps, scars, or malformations.
• To remove a polyp or fibroid from the uterus. Some types of fibroids that grow inside the cavity are called submucous fibroids and can be removed hysteroscopically.
• To remove a uterine septum
• Obtain a tissue sample or biopsy from the lining of the uterus
• Locate an intrauterine device (IUD).

PROCEDURE:

The procedure may be done with oral pain medications or with local or general anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s tolerance and pathology.
The procedure is performed by inserting a speculum to spread open the walls of the vagina. The cervix is then stabilized. The hysteroscope is then guided through the cervix and into the uterus. The camera transmits images of the uterus to a screen. The doctor then injects fluid to expand the uterus in order to visualise the uterine cavity and get a better understanding of the pathology, such as fibroid, polyp, septum, adhesions, or takes a sample.