Hysteroscopy and why macroscopic uterine factors matter for fertility

The Role of Hysteroscopy in the Assessment of Fallopian Tubal Patency: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-analysis

Hysteroscopy has been recognized as a reliable method for the evaluation of female infertility for several years. The outpatient setting is particularly convenient, as patients do not require general anesthesia and do not have to stay overnight. In recent years, more and more articles have dealt with the role of diagnostic hysteroscopy in tubal evaluation. Twenty-four articles were included in this comprehensive review and 14 of them were also included in a meta-analysis. This review provides an overview of the different techniques of hysteroscopic tubal evaluation, with a focus on perioperative changes in cul-de-sac volume, the air bubble technique ("Parryscope" technique), the Flow technique and selective hysteroscopic pertubation with methylene blue dye (SHPMBD). In pooled analyses, SHPMBD achieved the highest sensitivity for tubal patency (91.7%, 95% confidence interval, CI: 88.8-94.0), whereas the air bubble technique revealed the highest specificity of all methods (98.4, 95% CI: 95.3-99.6). Furthermore, in a meta-analysis of all methods on the assessment of single tubes, an overall sensitivity of 87.1% and an overall specificity of 79.8% (95% CI: 76.4-82.9) could be shown. In conclusion, the techniques of hysteroscopic tubal evaluation are well-tolerated, clinically relevant, and reliable.

[Non-drug technologies in restoring endometrial receptivity as a cause of impaired fertility in women of reproductive age. (Literature review)]

Globally, 13% of the population has difficulty conceiving. In Russia, the proportion of infertile marriages ranges from 8 to 17.5%, with half of all forms of female infertility being the uterine form. The main etiological factors for impaired endometrial receptivity are infectious diseases leading to the development of chronic endometritis (most often found in tuboperitoneal infertility), dishormonal background associated with the development of hyperplastic processes in endocrine infertility, uterine fibroids, chronic endometritis and endometriosis. The frequency of detection of uterine cavity diseases in patients with repeated unsuccessful IVF programs ranges from 18 to 50%. The review examines the etiological factors and other causes of endometrial pathology leading to the development of chronic endometritis, possible mechanisms for the development of impaired growth and receptivity of the endometrium, and, as a consequence, the impossibility of pregnancy. Therapeutic strategies for restoring endometrial thickness and receptivity using pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are described. Based on the analysis of literature data, it is shown that the use of physiotherapeutic factors in treatment programs that have pronounced anti-inflammatory, immuno- and hormone-modulating, reparative-regenerative, metabolic, vasocorrective and defibrosing effects allows for a relatively short period of time to improve endometrial receptivity, normalize hormonal levels and restore fertility in women of reproductive age, which ensures the possibility of successful embryo implantation, fetal development and childbirth.

microRNAs in female infertility: An overview

Infertility impacts a considerable number of women worldwide, and it affects different aspects of family life and society. Although female infertility is known as a multifactorial disorder, there are strong genetic and epigenetic bases. Studies revealed that miRNAs play critical roles in initiation and development of female infertility related disorders. Early diagnosis and control of these diseases is an essential key for improving disease prognosis and reducing the possibility of infertility and other side effects. Investigating the possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic options is valuable, and it merits attention. Thus, in this article, we reviewed research associated with female diseases and highlighted microRNAs that are related to the polycystic ovary syndrome (up to 30 miRNAs), premature ovarian failure (10 miRNAs), endometriosis (up to 15 miRNAs), uterine fibroids (up to 15 miRNAs), endometrial polyp (3 miRNAs), and pelvic inflammatory (6 miRNAs), which are involved in one or more ovarian or uterine disease-causing processes.

Efficacy and safety of remimazolam tosylate in hysteroscopy: A randomized, single-blind, parallel controlled trial

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam tosylate and propofol for hysteroscopy.

METHODS

From November 2020 to June 2021, a total of 90 patients who underwent hysteroscopy were prospectively enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: propofol group (group A), low-dose remimazolam tosylate group (group B), and high-dose remimazolam tosylate group (group C), with 30 cases in each group. All cases received intravenous sufentanil 0.1ug/kg for analgesic preconditioning. Patients in group A were given 2 mg/kg propofol intravenously, and maintained at a rate of 5 mg/kg/h. Patients in groups B and C were given intravenous remimazolam tosylate 0.25 mg/kg. Group B was maintained with remimazolam tosylate at a rate of 0.48 mg/kg/h, while group C was at a rate of 0.6 mg/kg/h. The changes of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) were recorded after admission (T0), 1 min after anaesthesia (T1), dilation of the uterine cavity (T2), and the end of hysteroscopy (T3). In addition, Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OAA/S) at 1 min, 3 min, and 5 min after hysteroscopy, the incidence of adverse events, and the time from the end of the hysteroscopy to reach the discharge standard, were recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The success rate of sedation in each group was 100%. After administration, the adverse event incidence in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (p < 0.05, respectively). Compared with propofol, remimazolam tosylate did not cause injection pain, had less impact on haemodynamics and caused less respiratory depression.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Remimazolam tosylate and propofol have similar success rates for painless hysteroscopy, and both can provide safe and effective sedation. The safety of remimazolam tosylate for hysteroscopy appears to be better than that of propofol.

Removal of uterine polyps: clinical management and surgical approach

Endometrial polyps have a reported prevalence from 7.8% up to 30% and are one of the most cost-consuming gynecological conditions for our specialty. There are strong practitioner beliefs that surgical removal of endometrial polyps is highly beneficial, particularly for those with abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility. Additionally, polypectomy is indicated to reduce the risk of malignancy. Transvaginal ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic option for detection of endometrial polyps, while sonohysterography has similar accuracy as hysteroscopy in the diagnostic confirmation. Blind dilatation and curettage is not recommended for polyp removal; rather, hysteroscopy in the operating room and office setting using small-diameter hysteroscopic equipment is the standard approach. This can be performed without anesthesia in most women. While hysteroscopy is an effective method for polypectomy with a low complication rate, it is unknown whether this is truly beneficial for reproductive-age women with infertility and prior assisted reproduction therapy. The risk of malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding justifies the necessity of polypectomy with histologic tissue examination. In asymptomatic women, the risk of malignancy is low, and there are no known benefits of polyp removal in the prevention of malignant transformation. Cost-effective studies remain to be done to provide us with the optimal approach to endometrial polyps including the management of asymptomatic and/or infertile women, ideal location including office-based or the operating room setting, complication prevention including intrauterine adhesions, and recurrence issues.

Oral Desogestrel as Endometrial Preparation before Operative Hysteroscopy: A Systematic Review

The pharmacologic preparation of the endometrium before hysteroscopy may be achieved with the use of various drugs. This systematic review aims to summarize the available evidence regarding the use of desogestrel for endometrial preparation before hysteroscopic procedures. A literature search for suitable articles published in English language from inception of the database until August 2019 was performed using the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. All original articles concerning desogestrel-only pretreatment before hysteroscopic surgery were considered eligible. Reviews, case reports/series, conference papers, studies including the use of combined hormonal preparation, and articles in languages other than English were excluded from the analysis. The literature search retrieved 3 studies that met all the inclusion criteria. The data demonstrated that desogestrel may be considered as a hormonal pretreatment drug before hysteroscopic procedures. The drug was distinctly effective and assessed as helpful by the operating surgeon in numerous patients who were administered the pretreatment of 75 μg daily. Oral desogestrel is a cheap, easily available, safe, and quite efficient alternative for endometrial preparation before hysteroscopic procedures.

Detection of hysteroscopic fluid in the pouch of Douglas: a prospective cohort study about the predictability of bilateral tubal occlusion

Purpose

To determine whether an increase in cul de sac (CDS) fluid after hysteroscopy is predictive of tubal patency.

Methods

In a prospective clinical cohort study, 115 subfertile women undergoing laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery at the Medical University of Vienna were invited to participate. The primary outcome was determining whether an increase in fluid in the pouch of Douglas was reflective of unilateral or bilateral tubal patency. Vaginal sonography before and after hysteroscopy was performed to detect fluid in the pouch of Douglas, directly followed by laparoscopy with chromopertubation.

Results

Laparoscopic chromopertubation revealed bilateral Fallopian tube occlusion in 28 women (24.3%). Twenty-seven/40 patients (67.5%) with no fluid shift had bilateral occlusion during the consecutive laparoscopy (p < 0.001). One/75 patients (1.3%) showing a fluid shift had bilateral occlusion (sensitivity of a present fluid shift for uni- or bilateral patency 85.1%, 95% CI: 81.7–99.9, specificity: 96.4%, 95% CI: 75.8–91.8). Intracavitary abnormalities (odds ratio, OR, 0.038; p = 0.030) and adhesions covering one or both tubes (OR 0.076; p = 0.041) increased the risk for a false abnormal result, i.e., uni- or bilateral tubal patency despite the lack of a fluid shift.

Conclusion

When CDS fluid does not change after hysteroscopy, this is a sensitive test for tubal occlusion and further testing may be warranted. However, if there is an increase in CDS fluid after hysteroscopy, particularly for a patient without fluid present prior, this is both sensitive and specific for unilateral or bilateral tubal patency.

Metabolomics Analysis Discovers Estrogen Altering Cell Proliferation via the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Infertility Patient Endometria

Estrogen therapy is widely used as a supplementary treatment after hysteroscopy for female infertility patients owing to its protective function that improves endometrial regeneration and menstruation, inhibits recurrent adhesions, and improves subsequent conception rate. The endometrial protective function of such estrogen administration pre-surgery is still controversial. In the current study, 12 infertility patients were enrolled, who were treated with estrogen before hysteroscopy surgery. Using cutting-edge metabolomic analysis, we observed alterations in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) intermediates of the patient's endometrial tissues. Furthermore, using Ishikawa endometrial cells, we validated our clinical discovery and identified estrogen-ESR-G6PD-PPP axial function, which promotes estrogen-induced cell proliferation.

Hysteroscopy and female infertility: a fresh look to a busy corner

Hysteroscopy has evolved from the traditional art of examining the uterine cavity for diagnostic purposes to an invaluable modality to concomitantly diagnose and (see and) treat a multitude of intrauterine pathologies, especially in the field and clinics specialising in female reproduction. This article reviews the literature on the most common cervical, endometrial, uterine and tubal pathologies such as chronic endometritis, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, endometriosis, endometrial atrophy, adhesions, endometrial hyperplasia, cancer, and uterine malformations. The aim is to determine the efficiency of hysteroscopy compared with other available techniques as a diagnostic and treatment tool and its association with the success of in vitro fertilisation procedures. Although hysteroscopy requires an experienced operator for optimal results and is still an invasive procedure, it has the unique advantage of combining great diagnostic and treatment opportunities before and after ART procedures. In conclusion, hysteroscopy should be recommended as a first-line procedure in all cases with female infertility, and a special effort should be made for its implementation in the development of new high-tech procedures for identification and treatment infertility-associated conditions.

Hysteroscopic Assessment of Tubal Patency: A Randomized Comparison between the Flow and Parryscope Techniques

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of the "Parryscope" and "flow" techniques for hysteroscopic assessment of tubal patency.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

From May to October 2019, women with subfertility undergoing laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery at the Medical University of Vienna were invited to participate in the study. The primary outcome was accuracy of Fallopian tube patency relative to the gold standard of laparoscopic chromopertubation.

PATIENTS

Sixty women with subfertility.

INTERVENTIONS

Hysteroscopy with either the "Parryscope" or the "flow" techniques for tubal assessment, directly followed by laparoscopy with chromopertubation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Hysteroscopic prediction of fallopian tube patency was possible in a statistically significant manner in both study groups (p <0.05). The Parryscope technique achieved higher sensitivity (90.6%, 95% CI: 61.7-98.4) and specificity (100%, 95% CI: 90.0-100.0) than the flow technique (sensitivity: 73.7%, 95% CI: 48.8-90.9 and specificity: 70.7%, 95% CI: 54.5-83.9).

CONCLUSION

Using the Parryscope technique to determine if air bubbles traverse the ostia can provide valuable additional information during hysteroscopy and is more accurate in predicting fallopian tubal occlusion than the flow method.