Operative hysteroscopy platform at a university teaching hospital: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence, indications, effectiveness, outcomes, and complications of operative hysteroscopy in gynecological patients with an emphasis on the need for further training and equipping facilities as performed by consultant gynecologists. METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study of operative hysteroscopic procedures from 19 September 2016 to 31 December 2018. RESULTS: In total, 1919 hysteroscopic procedures were performed [1829 (95.3%) diagnostic and 90 (4.7%) operative hysteroscopies]. The patients’ mean age was 42.4 years (range, 20–69 years). The most common operative procedure was hysteroscopic fibroid polypectomy in 31 patients (34.4%), followed by transcervical resection of the endometrium in 23 (25.6%) and endometrial polypectomy in 16 (17.8%). The most common indication was menorrhagia in 57 patients (63.33%), followed by recurrent miscarriages in 9 (10.00%) and primary infertility in 5 (5.56%). Sixty-six patients (73.33%) were treated under general anesthesia and 24 (26.67%) under spinal anesthesia. Fifteen fibroids (48.4%) were 3 to 4 cm in size and 11 (35.5%) were >4 cm. Eight polyps (50%) were 3 to 4 cm. The mean uterine size and endometrial thickness were 8.9 ± 2.16 weeks and 11.1 ± 3.01 mm, respectively. The mean preoperative hemoglobin level was 10.9 g/dL and the mean estimated blood loss was 65.9 ± 48.7 mL (range, 10–200 mL). Thirty-eight patients (60.3%) with heavy bleeding improved with no need for further medical or surgical intervention. Eleven patients (44%) with reproductive issues conceived or regained their normal menstrual pattern. Two patients (2.2%) had excessive fluid absorption and one (1.1%) had uterine perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Operative hysteroscopy was an effective and safe option in certain uterine pathologies. Specific training in operative hysteroscopy should be promoted to make this type of surgery an integral part of gynecological services in the developing world.