Hysteroscopy: a review.

A review of the applications of hysteroscopy in obstetrics and gynecology is presented. Historical aspects, instrumentation, and media are interrelated. The respective diagnostic and therapeutic applications are reviewed separately, followed by more recent developments and potential applications.

Side-effects and complications of outpatient hysteroscopy.

Outpatient hysteroscopy and biopsy was performed on 403 occasions. Complications were rare (< 1%). Side-effects occurred in 70% of patients but rarely required treatment.

Outpatient hysteroscopy: a comparison of 2 methods of local analgesia.

A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to objectively compare pain tolerance of 2 methods of local analgesia for outpatient hysteroscopy. Patients in group 1 received a paracervical block using 20 ml of 1% lignocaine. Patients in group 2 received a uterosacral block using 2 ml of 2% lignocaine.

The hyperaemic endometrium at hysteroscopy.

Five hundred and thirty seven hysteroscopies were performed on 523 patients. In 37 cases, diffuse hyperaemia was the only abnormality found. Directed biopsy or dilatation and curettage (D&C) was performed on 28 of these, none of which revealed histological abnormalities.