REPRODUCTIVE SURGERY
Office hysteroscopy
In recent years this examination is also performed at the office, without the use of anesthesia or cervical dilatation. This is achieved by using a thinner telescope and the patient is able to monitor the screening and be informed by the physician of the findings during the test.
This method is of little value and tends to be abandoned when investigating infertility problems, since the images and information received are of moderate quality and reliability. This is due, on the one hand, to the use of a limited capability telescope, on the other hand, that CO2 is used as dilating agent, which does not cause a good dilation in the endometrial cavity.
Another problem is that treatment can not be done at the same time if something abnormal (e.g. polyps, fibroids, adhesions) is found, causing the woman to repeat the same procedure at an additional cost and psychological burden.
Dr. Ioannides believes that office hysteroscopy should not be used when investigating infertility.
