Results and experiences after 2000 performed hysteroscopies.

INTRODUCTION Hysteroscopy is one of the oldest endoscopic procedures which uses the cervix for introducing a telescope to place a camera into the uterine cavity. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to present our experiences with this procedure during the long-term work starting from the time when hysteroscopic method of treatment was first introduced at this Clinic until today. METHODS This prospective study involved 2000 female patients referred to the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Novi Sad from January 2005 till January 2011 for diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy. The following parameters were analyzed: the presence of minor and major pathology of the endometrium, type of anesthesia, technique of operative work, instruments and energy used during hysteroscopy and complications. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent of all procedures were done under intravenous anesthesia. The most common operative procedure was polypectomy and the most complicated one was myomectomy. By histopathological examination of hysteroscopic biopsy specimens four endometrial carcinomas were revealed. The combination of mechanical instrument and bipolar energy were used in most of the cases, while the percentage of complications was extremely low. CONCLUSION Hysteroscopy is a safe, highly sensitive, precise diagnostic and operative endoscopic procedure. Our experiences and dilemmas open a field for discussion and offer salutations to everyday problems. The introduction of this procedure into out-patients conditions has contributed to the efficiency of the treatment of vaginal pathological processes, thus enabling that the method has become available to all gynecologists. This fact requires further study and new results.