FLEXIBLE OUTPATIENT HYSTEROSCOPY WITHOUT ANESTHESIA - A SAFE, SUCCESSFUL AND WELL TOLERATED PROCEDURE

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and toleranc e of diagnostic outpatient flexible hysteroscopy without anaesthesia. Records from 554 consecutive patients were analysed retrospectively. S uccess rate, reasons for failure, adverse reactions and level of pain were the main outcome measures. Hysteroscopy was successful in 90.5% o f patients and well tolerated in 93.3%; 5.4% experienced moderate to s evere pain. Inability to negotiate the cervical canal accounted for 47 % of failed procedures and poor view for 42%. These results suggest th at flexible outpatient hysteroscopy without anaesthesia is a successfu l and well tolerated procedure.