Essure®: a new device for hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in an outpatient setting

Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization with Essure intratubal devices: A case-control prospective with inert local anesthesia or without anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

The contraceptive efficacy of hysteroscopic sterilization is well documented. The objective of this study was to compare procedure success, patient tolerance, and procedure time of Essure micro-insert hysteroscopic sterilization with or without anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN

Between February 2002 and May 2005, one operator performed 140 sterilization procedures in this prospective study: the first 70 were performed using local anesthesia and the following 70 began without administration of anesthesia. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable in their demographic characteristics. Successful bilateral micro-insert placement in the first 70 cases, utilizing paracervical block, was 82.8% and did not differ significantly from the next 70 cases, without anesthesia (91.4%). A similar number of patients in each group received additional anesthesia. Report of procedure pain did not differ significantly between the groups: 87.1% reported moderate or less pain with the paracervical block, compared with 91.4% in the group without anesthesia. Duration of surgery was significantly shorter without anesthesia: 11.2+/-6.3 min vs. 25.0+/-8.0 min (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of anesthesia does not appear to affect the procedure completion success rate or patient tolerance of this hysteroscopic sterilization procedure.

Hysteroscopic sterilization in women with severe cardiac disease: experience at a tertiary center

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of hysteroscopic sterilization as a minimally invasive sterilization method for women with high-risk cardiac disease.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, 18 women with high-risk cardiac conditions that strictly contraindicated pregnancy were compared with a reference cohort of 157 women without cardiac disease. All underwent microinsert hysteroscopic sterilization at Mayo Clinic from January 2003 through February 2007. End points included successful placement, fallopian tube patency determined by hysterosalpingogram 3 months after the procedure, and pregnancy status.

RESULTS

Women in the cardiac cohort were younger than those in the reference cohort (median age, 25 vs 39 years; P<.001), had lower parity (median, 0 vs 2; P<.001), and had a higher proportion of patients categorized as American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status 3 (severe systemic disease) and physical status 4 (systemic disease that is a constant threat to life) (83% vs 6%; P<.001). No significant differences were noted for use of general anesthesia (17% vs 27%; P=.41), successful bilateral device placement (100% vs 95%; P>.99), postoperative pain score (median, 0 for both groups; P=.87), or length of hospitalization (median, 6 vs 6 hours; P=.63). No intraoperative complications occurred. Follow-up hysterosalpingography showed high tubal occlusion rates in both cohorts (100% cardiac; 98% reference; P>.99). No pregnancies occurred during a median follow-up period of 20 months (interquartile range, 8-33 months).

CONCLUSION

For women with cardiac disease and strict contraindications for pregnancy, microinsert hysteroscopic sterilization provided minimally invasive, permanent, and reliable contraception.

A aplicação de adesivo de cianoacrilato por histeroscopia e os testes de perviedade na esterilização tubária de ovelhas

OBJETIVO: avaliar, por meio de testes de prenhez e de perviedade, a eficácia da obstrução tubária de ovelhas com adesivo de cianoacrilato aplicado por via histeroscópica. MÉTODO: 12 ovelhas adultas, com uma gestação anterior, foram distribuídas em três grupos: G-PO (n=3) submetidas à laqueadura tubária tipo Pomeroy; G-SH (n=3) aplicação de solução salina no istmo tubário por histeroscopia, e G-AD (n=6) aplicação de 0,5mL de n-butil-2-cianoacrilato no interior do istmo tubário, por histeroscopia. Depois de acasaladas por 90 dias com machos de comprovada fertilidade, as ovelhas não prenhas foram submetidas à laparotomia, retiradas as tubas uterinas, medidos os seus diâmetros e preparadas para testes de perviedade pela aplicação de azul de metileno e de pressão hidráulica (80mmHg). RESULTADOS: As ovelhas de G-PO e G-AD não ficaram prenhas (0%), em contraste com as SH (100%). O G-PO apresentou maior concentração de aderências (66,6%) e de granulomas (100%) em relação ao grupo AD (0%); o adesivo manteve-se íntegro no lúmen tubário. O diâmetro da tuba uterina em G-AD (0,650 ± 0,16 cm) foi significantemente maior do que o das tubas em G-PO (0,195 ± 0,04* cm) (p=0,01). Os testes de perviedade de pressão e corante foram negativos para todo o grupo PO e somente um animal em AD mostrou-se positivo para o teste de pressão. CONCLUSÃO: a aplicação histeroscópica de cianoacrilato no lúmen tubário de ovelhas impediu eficientemente a fecundação, constituindo procedimento eficaz e de boas perspectivas para aplicação futura em humanos.

Hysteroscopy and the butyl-cyanoacrylate on experimental sterilization of rabbit uterine tubes

PURPOSE: To assess the sterilization effectiveness on uterine tube of rabbit by the cyanoacrylate adhesive. METHODS: Hysteroscopy tubal catheterization was performed randomly in 12 animals (24 uterine tubes) assigned to the sham group (GS) and 15 animals (30 uterine tubes) to the n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (GB). The female rabbits were observed during 30, 90 and 180 days and mated to fertile males. The no pregnant rabbits were submitted to in vitro burst pressure test for patency by air insufflation (40 mmHg). The microscopic assessment was performed to parameters of damages in epithelium caused by the adhesive, the degree of inflammatory process, morphometry data values of tube diameter (UT) (cm), mucosa thickness (MT) and the myosalpinx thickness (MyT) (mm). The mucosa cells densitometry (total optical density) was expressed by the amount of DNA. The significance of the differences in histological scores and in thickness measurements were made by ANOVA test (P value < 0.05). RESULTS: In all animals of GB: the adhesive was attached to the mucosa; there was no pregnancy; no records of significant degree on inflammatory process; the patency test was negative and densitometry of DNA showed similar values to the both groups independently of observation periods. The layers thickness of GB-UT(1.118±0.117), GB-MT(0.447±0.247) and GB-MyT(0.853±0.097) were larger than the GS-UT(0.666±0.409), GS-MT(0.211±0.070) and GS-MyT(0.442±0.143). CONCLUSION: This approach offers a safe and feasible method of uterine tube obstruction.

Hysteroscopic sterilization with occlusion of sheep uterine tube using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive

PURPOSE: To evaluate the fertility and analyze the macroscopic, microscopic and morphometric aspects of sheep uterine tube sterilization with a hysteroscopically insert of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive. METHODS: 12 adult sheep, with one previous pregnancy, were distributed as follows: group L (n=3) subjected to laparotomy and Pomeroy uterine tube ligation, group S (n=3) subjected to hysteroscopic application of saline solution in tube isthmus and group AD(n=6), that was subjected to hysteroscopic application of 0.5 ml of n-2-butil-cyanoacrylate in tube isthmus. They were mated with fertile males for ninety days. The non pregnant sheep, at the 90th day, were subjected to laparotomy with uterus and tubes uterine resection. The fragments of uterine tubes were fixated in 10% formalin and processes for histology evaluated, and slices dyes for H.E. Data were evaluated by Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: All sheep from groups L and AD did not get pregnant (0%) in contrast with sheep from group S (100%); the adhesive remained integral in the uterine tube lumen. The percentual of adherences (66.6%) and fibrosis responses (100%) was significantly higher in the group L than group AD (0%) (p<0.01). The diameter of the caudal tube in group AD (2652.15 ± 45.76 mm) was significantly wider than that of the group L (1868.27 ± 56.11* µm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The hysteroscopic insertion of cyanoacrylate in the uterine tube lumen of sheep was effective to obstruct the uterine tube and to promote the sterilization.

Transcervical sterilization

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss the methods for achieving success with currently available transcervical sterilization procedures for permanent female contraception.

RECENT FINDINGS

The transcervical approach has long been thought to be the optimal method for permanent female sterilization, with tubal access achieved by blind, direct (hysteroscopic) or indirect (radiological) techniques, and occlusion being achieved by chemical, mechanical, or thermal techniques. Some combination of these access and occlusion methods encompasses all the current procedures and two types predominate. Quinacrine sterilization is a procedure that is widely used in the developing world, while hysteroscopic procedures such as the Essure and Adiana procedures are either currently available or emerging as visually controlled, device-dependent methods for reliable transcervical sterilization that may be performed in an outpatient or office setting with minimal anesthesia and high patient acceptability. Other devices are used but have less supportive data for their continued use.

SUMMARY

Transcervical methods of female sterilization have good tubal access and occlusion rates, high patient acceptability, and can be performed in an outpatient setting. This combination of factors may offer significant advantages to traditional laparoscopic approaches and render them more cost-effective.

Techniques for removal of the Essure⁎⁎Essure, Conceptus, Inc., Mountain View, California. hysteroscopic tubal occlusion device

OBJECTIVE

To present two case reports of techniques for removal of the Essure (Conceptus, Inc., Mountain View, CA) hysteroscopic tubal occlusion device.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University-affiliated teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Two women requesting removal of Essure devices because of persistent pelvic pain up to 6 weeks after placement.

INTERVENTION(S)

Hysteroscopic and laparoscopic removal of the Essure microinserts. No institutional review board approval was obtained because the procedures were not part of a study protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Effective removal of the Essure device and resolution of pelvic pain symptoms.

RESULT(S)

Successful removal of the device was achieved in both patients. In one case, the procedure was performed entirely by hysteroscopy. In the other case, a laparoscopic approach was required because of a lack of visualization of the device. Pain symptoms resolved within 2 weeks of removal in both patients.

CONCLUSION(S)

These are the first reported cases of successful removal of the Essure tubal occlusion devices up to 6 weeks after placement. This procedure can be safely performed with the use of hysteroscopy if the inserts are clearly visualized. Laparoscopy is an alternative when the device is completely within the fallopian tube. Further study is needed to assess the functionality of the tube after the procedure, as well as feasibility of removal beyond 6 weeks.

Innovations in contraception: a review

New forms of contraception have been developed to improve the safety and tolerability of contraceptive methods without compromising efficacy. The newest developments in contraception including low and ultra-low doses of estrogen, less-androgenic 19 nor-testosterone progestins, and the nonsteroidal progestin drospirenone, the Quick Start method to improve compliance of oral contraceptives, and the contraceptive transdermal patch, the vaginal estrogen-progestin ring, the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, and the hysteroscopic transcervical sterilization techniques are discussed.

The feasibility, success and patient satisfaction associated with outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and patient satisfaction of female sterilisation using the Essure system in an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic without conscious sedation or general anaesthesia.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a large teaching hospital.

POPULATION

Women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation using the Essure system for permanent fertility control.

METHODS

Demographic and procedural data were prospectively collected from 112 consecutive women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation without sedation or general anaesthesia. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) was performed routinely in all women 3 months after the procedure to confirm bilateral tubal occlusion. Postal questionnaires were sent at this time enquiring about patient satisfaction and experience with the outpatient procedure. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently predictive of successful completion of the procedure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Technical feasibility, predictive factors for technical success (operator, body mass index, uterine size, axis, menstrual phase and cervical stenosis), complications, tubal occlusion on HSG, patient satisfaction and procedure-related experience.

RESULTS

Successful bilateral tubal placement of the Essure microinserts was achieved in 103/112 (92%, 95% CI 85-96%) women. Nonsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle (P = 0.04) and a clinically normal-sized uterus (P = 0.003) were independently predictive for successful completion of the outpatient procedure on multivariable modelling. There were no major procedure-related complications recorded, but transient vasovagal reactions occurred in 5/112 (5%) women. Of the original cohort of 112 women with successful procedures, 84 women were 3 months postprocedure and had undergone a HSG. Bilateral tubal occlusion was confirmed in 83/84 (99%, 95% CI 94-100%) women at 3 months and in 100% at 6 months. Seventy-six of 84 (91%) had returned the questionnaires, and 70/73 (96%, 95% CI 88-99%) were satisfied with their overall experience of the procedure including radiological follow up, with most reporting being 'very satisfied' (64/73, 88%, 95% CI 78-94%).

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient hysteroscopic sterilisation using the Essure system without sedation or general anaesthesia is a successful and safe procedure associated with high rates of patient satisfaction. If practical, women should be scheduled to have their procedures in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle to optimise successful placement of Essure devices, especially if the uterus is clinically enlarged.

Transcervical Sterilization: Past, Present, and Future

After multiple attempts at developing transcervical sterilization techniques over the past 150 years, United States women now have the option of a transcervical method, which can be performed without an incision under local anesthesia. It is feasible in most patients and highly effective once occlusion has been confirmed with hysterosalpingogram. Another method is likely to be approved and enter the market in the near future. Expanded choices for sterilization are a positive development for women's health because more options may decrease unintended pregnancy.

Retrospective cost analysis comparing Essure hysteroscopic sterilization and laparoscopic bilateral tubal coagulation

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the institutional cost of permanent female sterilization by Essure hysteroscopic sterilization and laparoscopic bilateral coagulation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

Midwestern academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Women of reproductive age who elected for permanent contraception by the Essure method (n = 43) or by laparoscopic tubal coagulation (n = 44) during the time frame studied.

INTERVENTIONS

Placement of the Essure inserts according to the manufacturer's instructions or laparoscopic tubal sterilization using bipolar forceps according to standard techniques of open or closed laparoscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Cost-center data for the institutional cost of the procedure was abstracted for each patient included in the study. In addition, demographic data and procedural information were obtained and compared for the patient populations. The Essure system of hysteroscopic sterilization had a significantly decreased cost compared with laparoscopic tubal sterilization when both procedures were performed in an operating room setting. The decrease per patient in institutional cost was 180 dollars (p = .038). This included the cost of the confirmatory hysterosalpingogram 3 months after Essure placement and the cost of laparoscopic tubal occlusion by Filshie clip if the Essure micro-inserts could not be placed. The majority of the cost was related to hospital costs as opposed to physician costs. The Essure procedure had higher costs for disposable equipment (p <.0001), but this was offset by higher charges for operating room costs, which included the recovery room (p <.0001) and pharmacy costs (p <.0001) in the patients in the laparoscopy group.

CONCLUSION

In our setting, the Essure hysteroscopic sterilization had significant cost savings compared with laparoscopic tubal sterilization (p = .038). We believe that our data represent the minimum of potential savings using this approach, and future developments will only increase the cost difference found in our study.

A collaborative clinic between contraception and sexual health services and an adult congenital heart disease clinic

BACKGROUND

The success of cardiac surgery has created a new group of patients: those with 'adult congenital heart disease' (CHD) who may need specialist advice about contraception and pregnancy. The study objective was to investigate whether women with CHD were receiving appropriate advice on contraception.

METHODS

The study setting comprised a combined adult CHD and contraception and sexual health clinic operating alongside each other, once a month, at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Data were collected on 46 consecutive female patients attending the clinic between April 2002 and October 2003.

RESULTS

Sixteen of the 46 (35%) women had never discussed contraception with a health professional. Nine of these women were sexually active and were using condoms. Seven of these women chose to start hormonal contraception following consultation. Ten of the 30 (33%) women who had previously discussed contraception with either their general practitioner or family planning clinic had received inappropriate advice. Of these 30 women, 24 needed contraception: 12 (50%) continued with their current method, 10 (42%) started hormonal contraception having previously used either condoms or no contraception and two (8%) changed their current hormonal method to a more effective long-term method (progestogen-only pill to progestogen implant). There had been eight unplanned pregnancies in seven patients. There was poor knowledge among the women about long-acting hormonal methods, particularly progestogen injectables and implants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience has highlighted the substandard provision of sexual health services for adults with CHD. Many of these women receive either no advice or inappropriate advice about contraception. Suitable effective reversible methods are often denied by health professionals who are concerned about the safety of hormonal contraceptives in women with 'heart problems'. Preconception advice and birth control information should be given to all female patients with CHD, as correct information will avoid the potential risks of an unplanned pregnancy. A monthly regional combined clinic staffed by a cardiologist and family planning doctor provides the ideal opportunity for education of patients and health professionals alike. Good practice is then disseminated across specialities and into the community, encouraging multidisciplinary guidelines and pathways of referral to be developed.

Case report of failed tubal occlusion using Essuretm pbc (permanent birth control) hysteroscopic sterilisation procedure

The device previously known as STOP, now called the Essure pbc device, is a dynamic expanding microinsert, placed in the proximal section of the fallopian tube, occluding the tube. Initial reports about the device are promising with occlusion of the tubes in 100% with no reported pregnancies and a high rate of safety and patient acceptability. This report documents the first reported failure of tubal occlusion of an appropriately placed Essure pbc device.

Vaginoscopic versus conventional approaches to outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy: a two-centre randomized prospective study

BACKGROUND

To compare the tolerability and feasibility of the transvaginal and standard approaches in outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy.

METHODS

This randomized prospective trial was carried out in two centres to compare the transvaginal (n = 200) and conventional (n = 200) approaches during outpatient hysteroscopy. Patients were randomized by a computer-generated list. The main outcome measure was pain during the examination, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) graded from 0 to 10 (0 = lowest, 10 = highest). Secondary criteria were ease of instrument passage through the cervix, investigation quality and its duration. For data analysis, we used the chi-squared test or Fischer's exact test for qualitative variables and the Mann-Whitney U-test for quantitative variables.

RESULTS

Median VAS was rated at 0.5 for the vaginoscopic and 2 for the standard (P < 0.0001) approaches. The approaches did not differ significantly in investigation quality, procedure duration or ease of cervical passage (although the latter was more often easy transvaginally).

CONCLUSIONS

The transvaginal approach is better tolerated than the conventional technique in outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy.

[Vaginoscopic hysteroscopy]

Vaginoscopic hysteroscopy permits to avoid several painful gestures of classical office hysteroscopy. The aim of this article is to describe the advantages such vaginoscopic approach. Six studies were thus selected, dealing with vaginoscopic hysteroscopy. The diameter of the hysteroscope, always a rigid one, was between 3.5 and 5 mm, and CO(2) or saline infusions were indifferently used. Failure rate is inferior to 5%. One study, comparing pain induced by vaginoscopic versus classical hysteroscopy, concluded that vaginoscopic approach was less painful.

Prospective analysis of office-based hysteroscopic sterilization

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of performing the Essure hysteroscopic sterilization in an office-based setting.

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

SETTING

University out-patient office.

PATIENTS

All patients undergoing permanent sterilization in our outpatient office who opted for hysteroscopic sterilization were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Hysteroscopic placement of the Essure device in an office-based setting with only non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and paracervical block.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Multiple data points were collected on each patient including demographic data, specific procedural information, and 12-week hysterosalpingogram data. Most of our patients were Hispanic and had an average body mass index of 30.3. Average time to perform the procedure was 12.4 minutes, with the steepest improvement in the first 13 cases. Bilateral placement of the device was successful in 98 (96%) of 102 patients. Of these patients 92 have 12-week hysterosalpingography results (6 patients were lost to follow-up), with 90 (98%) showing bilateral tubal occlusion. There were no intraprocedural or postprocedural complications.

CONCLUSION

In our institution and in our experience, office-hysteroscopic placement of the Essure device is a feasible and effective approach for permanent sterilization.

Stérilisation tubaire par voie hystéroscopique : faisabilité et évaluation à un an

OBJECTIVES

Hysteroscopic flexible micro-insert (Essure) is an ambulatory improvement of fallopian tube sterilization, which is a deliberated suppression of fertility. The aim of this study was an evaluation of feasibility (learning curve) and the first year outcome of this method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study, carried out between February 2002 and March 2003, included patients who were matching with manufacturer recommendations. One surgeon only realized all the device placements.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were included (one year follow-up). Mean age was 41 (+/-3.3), mean parity was 2.7 (+/-0.8). Mean time needed for device placement was 26 minutes (+/-6.5) and was reduced with increased experience. Six failures of placement (12%) were related, because of submucus leiomyomas, proximal tubal stenotic disease or too retroverted uterus. Only 5 patients (11,4%) described intensive pelvic pain during the placement. The only case of device expulsion benefited from a successful second placement. The one-year follow-up showed no significant difference of body weight increasing, duration or quantity of menstruation, neither significant pelvic pain nor vaginal bleeding. Tolerance was rated at least at "somewhat satisfied". There have been no pregnancies reported in 670 woman-months of effectiveness.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our results agree in any point with those of larger studies. We think that hysteroscopy micro-insert placement is not only reserved to specialized centers but also to any gynecologist who is used to performing hysteroscopy because of its feasibility.

Hysteroscopic surgery

Hysteroscopy and visually directed endometrial sampling have replaced blind curettage for the diagnosis of endometrial disease. Hysteroscopy can be used to detect endometrial cancer and various premalignant lesions, as well as to diagnose intrauterine polyps and submucous fibroids. It can also be used to locate lost intrauterine devices, assess the shape and size of the endometrial cavity during an infertility work-up and to visualise intrauterine septae and adhesions. If the hysteroscopist possesses special skills and training, it can be used to perform intrauterine sterilisation by occluding the tubal ostia. The ability to perform endometrial ablation as an alternative to hysterectomy in patients with menorrhagia has led to reduction in the number of hysterectomies performed. Long-term follow-up has confirmed the success of this procedure, but it is not without complications. The inherent dangers and complications of endometrial ablation and the considerable skill and training it requires has led to the development of numerous second-generation devices, which can involve balloons that are heated with circulating fluid, impedance-controlled endometrial ablation or surface electrodes, heated fluid running through the hysteroscope under direct vision or the use of microwaves or cryotherapy. This chapter reviews the techniques, potential complications and evidence for the effectiveness of the common diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopic procedures.

Follow-up of successful bilateral placement of Essure®⁎ ⁎Essure System, Conceptus, San Carlos, California. microinserts with ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability of pelvic X-ray and transvaginal ultrasound to localize Essure microinserts (Conceptus, San Carlos, California) after successful placement in both fallopian tubes 3 months after placement.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

Gynecology departments at two teaching hospitals.

PATIENT(S)

One hundred eighty-two patients who underwent hysteroscopic sterilization by placement of Essure microinserts between August 2002 and August 2004.

INTERVENTION(S)

Transvaginal ultrasound, pelvic X-ray, and hysterosalpingography (HSG) 3 months after sterilization with Essure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Transvaginal ultrasound confirmation of correct localization of microinserts after a 3-month follow-up.

RESULT(S)

In 150 of 182 patients, confirmation of successful bilateral placement of two microinserts (300 devices) was possible. In 9 patients it was not possible to identify both devices with ultrasound, or there was doubt about the extension of the device through the uterotubal junction. The other 291 devices were identified as being in a good position.

CONCLUSION(S)

Hysterosalpingography at the 3-month follow-up after successful placement of Essure microinserts can be replaced by transvaginal ultrasonography. A 3-month follow-up with HSG after the Essure procedure is only required after unsatisfactory placements. In those patients in whom transvaginal ultrasonography cannot confirm satisfactory localization, a complementary pelvic X-ray should be performed.

[Update on contraception]

Since the introduction of hormonal contraceptives in the 1960s, great advances have been achieved in contraception. Biological effects of sexual steroids as well as risks and benefits of oral contraception are better estimated. After the development of a new hormone-containing intra-uterine system, new hormone delivery systems offer women safe and effective contraceptive options. These new options that combine high efficacy and ease of use should allow better acceptance and compliance than daily pill ingestion and should then reduce the high rate of unintended pregnancies terminated by elective abortion. Transdermal contraceptive system and vaginal ring offer a promising innovative approach in pregnancy prevention. Subdermal implants give women the choice of a highly effective contraceptive system in spite of significant side effects. New hormonal delivery systems such as injectables are under development. Hysteroscopic tubal sterilization is now also available and is a very effective procedure. This wide variety of new contraceptive methods offers a marked improvement from previous medications for users by providing better efficacy and tolerability.

Transcervical sterilization

The transcervical approach to permanent female sterilization has been studied for more than 150 years. Methods for accessing the tubes via this approach include blind, radiological and visual (hysteroscopic) techniques. Modalities for occluding the fallopian tubes include thermal, chemical and mechanical means. Some combination of the approach and the occlusive method define all known procedures. Initial attempts at transcervical sterilization were not widely adopted due to an inability to occlude the tube reliably, resulting in pregnancy and/or high morbidity from the procedure. Quinacrine sterilization is a procedure that is widely used in the developing world, but this has not been taken up by the developed world. There are limitations in diagnosing tubal occlusion with this technique. New methods for transcervical sterilization include the Essure and the Adiana procedures. These methods involve hysteroscopic placement of devices that rely on both mechanical occlusion and stimulation of tissue ingrowth to effect tubal occlusion. These new devices can be delivered to more than 90% of tubes, have very high success rates of pregnancy prevention (>99% in studies to date) and are acceptable to patients. Most importantly, they can be fitted under local anaesthesia in an ambulatory setting. The cost advantages of transcervical sterilization have not yet been investigated. It is possible that such a modality for permanent female sterilization may be demonstrated to be highly cost-effective.

Hysteroscopic permanent tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia in the outpatient setting: procedure feasibility and effectiveness

BACKGROUND

Hysteroscopic permanent tubal sterilization has recently been introduced, resulting in a non-invasive, safe and effective technique. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of outpatient hysteroscopic tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia and to assess patient procedure compliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We untertook a prospective study of 36 consecutive cases of outpatient hysteroscopic tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia. Tubal sterilization was performed by placing the device with the aid of a 5.2-mm continuous-flow operative hysteroscope. At the end of the procedure women were asked to rate the pain experienced on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0, no discomfort to 100, severe discomfort). Successful device placement was assessed after 3 months by hysterosalpingography and diagnostic hysteroscopy.

RESULTS

Successful bilateral placement was obtained in 32 patients (88.9%); in one (2.8%) the placement was monolateral; and in three (8.3%) the procedure failed. Mean operating time was 8.6 +/- 5.3 min. A mean VAS of 36.1 +/- 23.9 was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The nitinol-dacron intratubal device is safe, appears to be effective long-term, is non-invasive and can be used in the outpatient setting without anaesthesia. Low-level discomfort was experienced by the patients. Limitations of its use include that it is not effective immediately, it is irreversible, it requires special equipment and training, and it is difficult to use in cases of uterine anomalies. We conclude that this method may be offered to all woman asking for permanent tubal sterilization, particularly those who refuse or have contraindications for anaesthesia.

Office hysteroscopic sterilization compared with laparoscopic sterilization: A critical cost analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the actual cost difference in performing Essure hysteroscopic sterilization in the office compared with ambulatory surgery using laparoscopic sterilization in the operating room.

DESIGN

Cost-comparison analysis (Canadian Task Force classification III).

SETTING

University hospital and affiliated outpatient office.

INTERVENTIONS

Hysteroscopic placement of Essure device in an office setting and laparoscopic tubal ligation for permanent sterilization.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The various costs associated with the two procedures at our institution were compiled, and a direct cost comparison was made. We used actual institutional costs of the procedures, not billing or reimbursement. We found laparoscopic tubal ligations to cost 3449 dollars compared with hysteroscopic placement of the Essure device that costs 1374 dollars yielding a 2075 dollars difference between the procedures.

CONCLUSION

In our institution and in our experience, office-hysteroscopic placement of the Essure device is a more cost-effective method than laparoscopic tubal ligation.