Intraoperative and early postoperative complications of operative hysteroscopy

Advances in endometrial ablation

The evolution of the surgical treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding has resulted in the design and manufacture of instrumentation that is minimally invasive, has a low risk profile, and is technically simple to operate. Whereas hysterectomy was the only definitive surgical option before 1981, operative hysteroscopy with transcervical resection of the endometrium and rollerball ablation of the endometrium gained favor in the mid-1980s and 1990s. During the past 10 years, devices dedicated entirely to the ablation (or destruction) of the endometrium have been designed, modeled, tested, and approved for clinical use in the United States. This review describes the methods by which the technologies are evaluated and approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the reported efficacy of each approved device is reviewed. The complications associated with the devices, as well as the potential long-term risks of endometrial ablation, also are reported. Finally, the cost for device disposables and nondisposables is presented.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this article, the reader will be able to list the various FDA-approved uterine ablation devices, compare the effectiveness of the various uterine ablation devices, and summarize the various adverse events associated with the use of the uterine ablation devices.

A multicenter survey of complications associated with 21,676 operative hysteroscopies

OBJECTIVE

The following study analyses the hysteroscopic experience of multiple gynecologic centers throughout Germany in regard to the incidence of complications, the therapy of these complications and anesthesiological management during 21,676 hysteroscopic procedures.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Under the supervision of the German Society of Gynecology Endoscopy, 92 hysteroscopic centers were evaluated and the following information was collected: hysteroscopic experience in years, number of surgical hysteroscopies per year, total number of operative hysteroscopies, types of hysteroscopic procedures, intra- and post-operative complications.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The results of the study show that in most German centers, hysteroscopy is just being established. Nevertheless, the rate of complications such as perforation of the uterus, fluid-overload syndrome, infection and perioperative bleeding is small. This may be due to the high proportion of documented procedures performed by the more experienced centers.

Hemorrhage risk during operative hysteroscopy

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the risk of hemorrhage during hysteroscopic surgery.

METHODS

Cases of hemorrhage during hysteroscopic surgery were assessed in a single center, observational, prospective study conducted from 1990 to 2000, including 2116 surgical hysteroscopies. Risk of hemorrhage was evaluated according to the hysteroscopic procedure. The management of this complication was also noted.

RESULTS

Thirteen cases (0.61%) were reported. In six cases, hemorrhage stopped spontaneously. For six patients, a Foley (no. 10) probe was introduced into the uterine cavity and inflated for 24 h to stop hemorrhage. For one patient, immediately from the start of the procedure, the uterine arteries were ligatured through the vaginal route in order to stop bleeding. Haemorrhage risk was higher during hysteroscopic adhesiolysis compared with endometrial ablation (Relative risk [RR] 5.22 (1.26-21.64); p = 0.02), polyp [RR 5.3 (1.04-27.09); p = 0.04], and fibroid resections [RR 6.55 (1.58-27.17); p = 0.01]. Haemorrhage risk was however, comparable for endometrial ablation, uterus septa section, polyp, and fibroid resections (p = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemorrhage risk is higher during synechiolysis compared with other procedures. An inflated Foley probe may be an efficient means of stopping hemorrhage.

Complications in hysteroscopy: prevention, treatment and legal risk

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fortunately, gynecologists are enthusiastically embracing diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy as a means to evaluate women with menstrual disorders, infertility, post-menopausal bleeding, recurrent pregnancy loss, and for ultrasound images. In general, operative hysteroscopy is a safe procedure, is easily learned, and has excellent surgical outcomes. As more obstetricians/gynecologists perform hysteroscopy, they must remain cognizant about the salient complications. The recognition of complications and prompt intervention will prevent adverse sequelae as well as minimizing undesirable patient outcomes and reducing legal risks.

RECENT FINDINGS

Hysteroscopy remains a relatively safe procedure. Diagnostic hysteroscopy has the fewest risks, followed by operative hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, metroplasty, and myomectomy. Fluid management is critical for intraoperative safety. Meticulous detail should be paid to fluid management, and consultation sought with a critical care specialist when fluid overload or hyponatremia is suspected. Lingering pain, fever, or pelvic discomfort after surgery requires prompt evaluation. Women becoming pregnant after operative hysteroscopic procedures need careful antepartum and intrapartum care. Special attention to unusual pain complaints during pregnancy or with fetal distress in labor need prompt intervention.

SUMMARY

The preoperative use of misoprostol or laminara decreases the risk of uterine perforation. Expert preoperative evaluation is essential in determining the surgical skill and expertise needed, surgical time, and the likelihood of completing the operative procedure. Overall, complications in operative hysteroscopy are infrequent and are usually easy to manage. This knowledge should help physicians perform more procedures.

Postoperative infection and surgical hysteroscopy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of infection after surgical hysteroscopy.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

One thousand nine hundred fifty-two patients requiring operative hysteroscopy during a 10-year period from January 1990 to January 2000.

INTERVENTION(S)

Two thousand one hundred sixteen operative hysteroscopies were performed: 782 fibroma resections, 422 polyp resections, 623 endometrectomies, 90 uterine septa sections, and 199 lyses of synechiae.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Postoperative infectious complications.

RESULT(S)

Thirty (1.42%) infections occurred. There were 18 (0.85%) cases of endometritis and 12 urinary tract infections. No other severe infectious complications were reported. The risk for early-onset endometritis was higher after lysis of synechiae compared with endometrectomy, fibroma, or polyp resections. However, the risk for early-onset endometritis was similar for endometrectomy, septa, fibroma, or polyp resections.

CONCLUSION(S)

Infectious risk following surgical hysteroscopy is low. No major infectious complications occurred. Risk for early-onset endometritis was higher after lysis of synechiae compared with other procedures.

Anaesthetic considerations for hysteroscopic surgery

Use of the hysteroscope in modern gynaecological practice continues to develop as a diagnostic and management tool for intrauterine disease. Operative hysteroscopy (OH) is now an accepted alternative to hysterectomy for women with menorrhagia. The advantages of OH are associated with its short operating time, rapid post-operative recovery and low morbidity. However, there are concerns about the potential serious complications which can occur during and following OH, and it is important that both surgeons and anaesthetists are aware of these--especially as many procedures take place as day-cases. Much has been written in the urological literature concerning complications of endoscopic surgery. Information gathered from patients with post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome has been useful in the treatment of gynaecology patients. However, the techniques used in TURP are not entirely comparable to hysteroscopic surgery as the uterus has a very thick wall, which requires higher distension pressures. The main complications of OH are fluid overload, hyponatraemia, hypo-osmolality, haemorrhage, uterine perforation and, rarely, gas or air embolism. Fluid overload with hyponatraemia and hypo-osmolality occurs in up to 6% of cases and it can be fatal. Therefore, all possible measures should be taken to prevent it or to detect it and treat it early. There are no controlled studies comparing different anaesthetic techniques for OH. Regional anaesthesia may offer an advantage over general anaesthesia because it enables early detection of fluid overload. Great care should be taken when positioning the patient to prevent peripheral neuropathy.

Complications and litigation in gynecologic endoscopy

Most medical malpractice lawsuits that involve gynecologic endoscopy and laparoscopy result from either improper prevention, inadequate recognition, or delayed intervention. Continuing recognition of this will prevent many and mitigate most such cases. We can learn much from the events and rapid progress of the past decade. Although most laparoscopic improvements have been technical and instrument driven, a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, and diagnostics remains essential to high-quality patient care and risk reduction.