Hysteroscopy in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding.

The ever-increasing value of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy for patients with AUB serves as an appropriate, although belated, tribute to Pantaleoni who in 1869 dared to look inside a woman's uterus. Future generations of women and their physicians will be indebted to this physician-pioneer. Contemporary instrumentation permits the gynecologist to acquire quickly the basic skills necessary for routine performance of office-based hysteroscopy. With increasing experience, operative hysteroscopic techniques, including resection of polyps, myomata, and endometrial ablation, can be easily mastered.