[Air embolism and exploratory hysteroscopy: myths or realities? Preliminary results].

Objective: Authors tried to evaluate the prevalence of air embolism which is a severe complication of carbon dioxide hysteroscopy.

Design: On one hand, a retrospective inquiry with 18 hyperbaric oxygen therapy units over a 8 year period (1985 to 1992 included); and on the other hand, a prospective study with monthly survey to 84 public Gynaecology units during a 2 year period (January 1991 the 1st to December 1992 the 31st).

Results: From the 18 hyperbaric oxygen therapy units receiving iatrogenic air embolism, gynaecologic endoscopy represent 20% of the patients.