ABSTRACT
Hysteroscopy provided precious little information concerning the causes of abnormal bleeding or reproductive problems until safe, effective distension was developed. What became evident was that, ideally, the distension medium had to allow the endometrial cavity to be opened, the view to be clarified (even in the face of blood), and little, if any, toxicity to the patient should the medium be absorbed into the vascular tree. In addition, the medium should be readily available at a minimal cost and be very compatible with the instruments used. Along with the dramatic advances in optics, light sources and documentation technologies, the advances in the development and utilization of different media have made hysteroscopy a standard tool for the evaluation and treatment of intrauterine pathologies.
