Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2010;32(1):26-32
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032010000100005
PURPOSE: to compare the pain reported by patients submitted to hysteroscopy by the standard technique with carbon dioxide (CO2) and to vaginal hysteroscopy with physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). METHODS: this was a prospective cohort study conducted at an ambulatory hysteroscopy service. A total of 117 patients with indication for the exam were included, being randomly assigned to one of the groups. All patients answered an epidemiological questionnaire and scored the pain expected before the exam and that felt after the end of the procedure on a verbal pain scale from 0 to 10. A speculum, traction of the cervix, insertion of a 30º light source and a diagnostic shirt with a total diameter of 5 mm were used for the standard technique. The cavity was distended with CO2 under a pressure of 100 mmHg controlled with a hysteroflator, and a biopsy was obtained with a Novak curette. Vaginoscopy was performed without a touch by distention of the vagina with fluid, direct visualization of the cervix and introduction of the light source with two continuous-flow shirts, with an accessory channel with an oval profile, the whole set measuring 5 mm in diameter. The medium distention was 0.9% NaCl and the pressure used was that considered to be necessary for an adequate visualization of the canal and of the cavity with an external pneumatic pressurizer. The biopsy was obtained in a directed manner using an endoscopic clamp. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative variables and the frequency was calculated for the qualitative variables. The Student's t-test was used to compare the means, and the chi-square or exact Fisher test was used (when n<5) for the categorical analysis using the SPSS 15.0 software. The study was designed for a 95% test power, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: the groups were similar regarding age, parity, previous uterine surgeries, menopausal status, and the need for a biopsy. In comparison to the group submitted to the standard technique, the vaginoscopy group involved a lower technical difficulty (5.1 versus 17.2%, p=0.03), a higher rate of exams considered to be satisfactory (98.3 versus 89.7%, p=0.04) and a lower pain index (4.8 versus 6.1; p=0.01), as the difference were more evident when patients who never had a previous normal delivery were compared (4.9 versus 7.1; p=0.0001). When the pain scale was stratified as mild (0-4), moderate (5-7) or intense (8-10), the vaginoscopy technique was found to be associated with a 52% reduction of the frequency of intense pain (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: vaginohysteroscopy was proved to be a less painful procedure than the technique based on the use of a speculum and CO2, regardless of age, menopause or parity, with more satisfactory results and lower technical difficulty.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2008;30(1):25-30
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032008000100005
PURPOSE: to compare diagnostic hysteroscopy through vaginoscopy, using warm saline solution, with traditional technique, regarding to pain, patient satisfaction and feasibility of the procedure. METHODS: randomized clinical trial, involving 184 women, referred for diagnostic hysteroscopy, between May and December of 2006. Participants were randomized to be submitted to hysteroscopy by the proposed technique, which consisted of access through vaginoscopy using normal saline at 36ºC as distension medium, no speculum or cervical grasping, or by the traditional technique with CO2. In both techniques, a 2.7 mm hysteroscope was used. Pain was assessed by the analogical visual scale, during the procedure and every five minutes after it. RESULTS: the mean pain score was 1.60 in the proposed technique and 3.39 in the traditional technique (p<0.01). Lower pain scores were also observed after 5, 10 and 15 minutes (p<0,01) as well as after 20 minutes (p=0.056). In the proposed technique, 82.4% of the procedures were feasible, while, in the traditional technique, 84.9% were so (p=0.64). Satisfaction with the procedure was referred by 88.7% of women submitted to the proposed technique and by 76.3% of women submitted to the traditional technique (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: diagnostic hysteroscopy by the proposed technique resulted in less pain, same feasibility and greater satisfaction of patients.