Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive modern endoscopic method used in gynecology diagnostics and conducting procedures in the uterine cavity. It is divided into diagnostic and treatment.

Diagnostic hysteroscopy involves the insertion of a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix – device equipped with a digital camera and lenses, enabling the doctor to make accurate examination of the uterine cavity. The procedure is performed under short intravenous general anesthesia – and the patient can return to daily activities immediately after the procedure.

The indications for a diagnostic test include:

• infertility (problems with becoming pregnant),
• recurrent miscarriages,
• endometrial hyperplasia,
• abnormal structure of the uterus,
• disorders of the menstrual cycle,
• bleeding of unknown origin,
• suspected rupture of the uterine wall.

Interventional hysteroscopy is used when disease states that were detected earlier are detected during diagnostic hysteroscopy or during vaginal ultrasound examination. In this case the doctor uses not only a camera and lenses, which the hysteroscope is equipped with, but also a micro tools that allow him to perform the appropriate surgery and examine the uterine cavity.

The indications for the hysteroscopy procedure include:

• the presence of endometrial polyps,
• the presence of submucosal fibroids,
• growth of the mucosa,
• intrauterine adhesions,
• uterine defects (obstructed vestigial horn in the uterine uterus, T-shaped uterus)
• the presence of a septum of the uterus,
• the need to collect specimens of the mucosa for histopathological examination.

The operation is preceded by a consultation with a specialist at the Gynecological Clinic. The doctor may order execution tests: cytological tests and vaginal cleanliness – and in case of contamination for bacteriological reasons, order the use of vaginal globules for a few days. In case of deleting fibroids, hormonal treatment is also often used (usually for 2–4 weeks before treatment), thanks to which the thickness of the uterine walls and the volume of the myoma are reduced.

Surgical hysteroscopy is performed at the beginning of the cycle, right after the bleeding has stopped. 6 hours before the procedure, you must not eat, drink, chew or take any gum drugs.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia – pharmacological agents are administered through cannula. The hysteroscope that the doctor uses during the procedure is equipped with a special channel through which micro tools are introduced. Therefore, it has a larger diameter than the one used in the case of diagnostic hysteroscopy.

How long do you have to stay in the clinic?

Usually, you can leave the clinic about 3 hours after the procedure, but sometimes this period is longer up to 24 hours. During this time, the patient remains under the constant care of a doctor and medical staff of Medical Clinic Podhale.