ABSTRACT
Hysteroscopy is an essential tool in the investigation of many common gynecological presentations, and has a clear role in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). The ability to perform hysteroscopies in an office setting is an underutilized technique that can result in significant health economic benefits. Pain can be a limiting factor in the ability to perform outpatient hysteroscopy, and so adequate pain relief, through anesthesia or analgesia, is essential. Transcervical access to the uterine cavity is associated with mechanical injuries, including cervical lacerations, the formation of false passages, and transcervical or uterine perforation. Operative hysteroscopy has a greater risk with reported complication rates of up to 4.4" in procedures such as endometrial ablation. The most common complications are bleeding and mechanical trauma, including uterine perforation or cervical lacerations. Hysteroscopy plays an important role in the evaluation of suspected malignancy. Uterine abnormalities can affect the ability of the endometrium to maintain implantation, leading to recurrent implantation failure.
