STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pain and acceptability of diagnostic hysteroscopy performed without local anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-associated department of obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENTS: The 1144 consecutive women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy as indicated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were asked to rate the pain experienced on a 10-cm visual analog scale and to state if they were willing to repeat the procedure. The mean pain score was 4.7 +/- 2.5; 398 patients (34.8%) experienced severe pain. No risk factors for painful hysteroscopy were found, although abnormality of the cervical canal was associated with high pain scores. Acceptance of the procedure was high, 83.0% (950 women). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a painful procedure even when performed with atraumatic technique by experienced surgeons. Most women, however, stated they were willing to have a second procedure under the same conditions.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pain and acceptability of diagnostic hysteroscopy performed without local anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-associated department of obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENTS: The 1144 consecutive women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy as indicated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:Patients were asked to rate the pain experienced on a 10-cm visual analog scale and to state if they were willing to repeat the procedure. The mean pain score was 4.7 +/- 2.5; 398 patients (34.8%) experienced severe pain. No risk factors for painful hysteroscopy were found, although abnormality of the cervical canal was associated with high pain scores. Acceptance of the procedure was high, 83.0% (950 women). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a painful procedure even when performed with atraumatic technique by experienced surgeons. Most women, however, stated they were willing to have a second procedure under the same conditions.
Authors: Kelechi Njoku; Davide Chiasserini; Eleanor R Jones; Chloe E Barr; Helena O'Flynn; Anthony D Whetton; Emma J Crosbie Journal: Front Oncol Date: 2020-11-03 Impact factor: 6.244