ABSTRACT
Uterine abnormalities, including congenital pathologies, polyps, submucous leiomyomata,
intrauterine adhesions, and chronic endometritis, have been reported in 21 to 47%
of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization cycles. The position of hysteroscopy
in current fertility practice is under debate. Although there are many randomized
controlled trials on technical feasibility and patient compliance demonstrating that
the procedure is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of intrauterine pathologies,
there is no consensus on the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery in improving the
prognosis of subfertile women. However, in patients with at least two failed cycles
of assisted reproductive technology, diagnostic hysteroscopy and, if necessary, operative
hysteroscopy is mandatory to improve reproductive outcome. Office hysteroscopy is
a powerful tool for the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine benign pathologies.
It is a simple, safe, reproducible, effective, quick, well-tolerated, and low-cost
surgical procedure, with no need for an operating room.
KEYWORDS
Fertility - intrauterine pathologies - hysteroscopic surgery - office hysteroscopy
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Stefano BettocchiM.D.
Department Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatology
University of Bari, Italy
Email: stefanoendo@tin.it
