Office Hysteroscopy: Treating Intrauterine Pathology and Avoiding the Operating Room.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Office hysteroscopy is a versatile minimally invasive procedure. However, there are limited data reporting long-term follow-up of patients undergoing these procedures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the rate of additional procedures performed in 1 and 3 years following office hysteroscopy, and to evaluate how frequently full assessment of the uterine cavity could be performed.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all office hysteroscopies that were performed between July 2015 and December 2021. Chart review was performed to extract patient demographic data, medical history, office hysteroscopy procedural data, pathology results, and any subsequent gynecological surgery.

Results: Only 13% of patients required further gynecologic intervention in the operating room (OR) within 1 year and 16% required further intervention in the OR within 3 years. A total of 82.7% of polyps and 90% of retained foreign bodies, were successfully removed in the office. A total of 93.4% had an adequate diagnostic office hysteroscopy with full evaluation of intrauterine cavity.

Conclusion: This study supports that office hysteroscopy is an effective approach that helps patients avoid the OR with the ability to perform an excellent diagnostic procedure and to treat common pathology. While patients with more advanced pathology may end up in the OR, office hysteroscopy can aid in planning the appropriate approach and procedure to be performed for more complex cases. Most our patients did not need an OR procedure in the 3 years following office hysteroscopy.