Kerin JF, Levy BS. Ultrasound: An effective method for localization of the echogenic Essure sterilization micro-insert: Correlation with radiologic evaluations.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2005;
12:50-4. [PMID:
15904599 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmig.2004.12.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To examine the reliability and practicality of performing office-based transvaginal ultrasound for determining the ease of locating the Essure hysteroscopic sterilization micro-insert and compare its usefulness against established radiologic evaluations.
DESIGN
Prospective single-center, single-arm, clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification xx).
SETTING
Hospital-based clinical research center.
PATIENTS
One hundred forty-five women of reproductive age and proven fertility.
INTERVENTION
Thirty-seven women who underwent the Essure hysteroscopic method of sterilization had routine radiologic and transvaginal ultrasound assessments for determining the retention of these micro-inserts from 3 months to 2 years after placement. An additional 108 women had ultrasound assessment as the only means of micro-insert localization 3 months after placement.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The 145 women (100%) who underwent an ultrasound assessment at a 3-month, posthysteroscopic-sterilization office visit had their micro-inserts readily identified and localized to the uterotubal area due to the micro-inserts' dense echogenic properties. For the 37 women who had both assessments, the ultrasound findings correlated with pelvic radiograph and hysterosalpingogram assessments of micro-insert location in all instances. In addition, the ultrasound evaluations provided additional information about the micro-inserts relative position to the surrounding, less-echogenic soft tissue structures of the upper uterotubal area. In the 37 women who had serial ultrasound and radiologic evaluations performed for up to 2 years after micro-insert placement, ultrasound was found to be equally effective in identifying the location of the micro-inserts and indicted that their position remained identifiable and stable over time.
CONCLUSION
A single transvaginal ultrasound in-office examination, performed 3 months after hysteroscopic micro-insert placement, was found to be a simple, reliable, and convenient method of assessing micro-insert location, when compared with radiologic assessments.
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