Hysteroscopy (Diagnostic/Surgery) cost in India

Know More About Procedure & Surgery

What is Hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that can be used to both diagnose and treat causes of bleeding. The procedure allows your doctor to look inside your uterus with a tool called a hysteroscope. This is a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be a part of the diagnosis process or an operative procedure.

Diagnostic Hysteroscopy

Diagnostic hysteroscopy is used to diagnose problems of the uterus. Diagnostic hysteroscopy is also used to confirm results of other tests, such as hysterosalpingography (HSG). HSG is an X-ray dye test used to check the uterus and fallopian tubes. Diagnostic hysteroscopy can often be done in an office setting.

Moreover, hysteroscopy can be used with other procedures, such as  laparoscopy, or before procedures such as  dilation and curettage (D&C). In laparoscopy, your doctor will insert an endoscope (a slender tube fitted with a fiber optic camera) into your abdomen to view the outside of your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The endoscope is inserted through an incision made through or below your navel.

Operative hysteroscopy

Operative hysteroscopy is used to correct an abnormal condition that has been detected during a diagnostic hysteroscopy. Your doctor may perform hysteroscopy to correct the following uterine conditions:

• Polyps and fibroids : Hysteroscopy is used to remove these non-cancerous growths found in the uterus.
• Adhesions: Uterine adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form in the uterus and may lead to changes in menstrual flow as well as infertility. Hysteroscopy can help your doctor locate and remove the adhesions.
• Septums: Hysteroscopy can help determine whether you have a uterine septum, a malformation (defect) of the uterus that is present from birth.
• Abnormal bleeding : Hysteroscopy can help identify the cause of heavy or lengthy menstrual flow, as well as bleeding between periods or after menopause. Endometrial ablation is one procedure in which the hysteroscope, along with other instruments, is used to destroy the uterine lining in order to treat some causes of heavy bleeding.

When should hysteroscopy be performed?

Your doctor may recommend scheduling the hysteroscopy for the first week after your menstrual period. This timing will provide the doctor with the best view of the inside of your uterus. Hysteroscopy is also performed to determine the cause of unexplained bleeding or spotting in postmenopausal women.

Hysteroscopy Procedure

Before the procedure, your doctor may prescribe a sedative to help you relax. You will then be prepared for anesthesia. The procedure itself takes place in the following order:

• The doctor will dilate (widen) your cervix to allow the hysteroscope to be inserted.
• The hysteroscope is inserted through your vagina and cervix into the uterus.
• Carbon dioxide gas or a liquid solution is then inserted into the uterus, through the hysteroscope, to expand it and to clear away any blood or mucus.
• Next, a light shone through the hysteroscope allows your doctor to see your uterus and the openings of the fallopian tubes into the uterine cavity.
• Finally, if surgery needs to be performed, small instruments are inserted into the uterus through the hysteroscope.

The time it takes to perform hysteroscopy can range from less than five minutes to more than an hour. The length of the procedure depends on whether it is diagnostic or operative and whether an additional procedure, such as laparoscopy, is done at the same time. In general, however, diagnostic hysteroscopy takes less time than operative.

Benefits of hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy may provide the following advantages:

• Shorter hospital stay.
• Shorter recovery time.
• Less pain medication needed after surgery.
• Avoidance of hysterectomy.
• Possible avoidance of "open" abdominal surgery.

Risks Involved

Hysteroscopy is a relatively safe procedure. However, as with any type of surgery, complications are possible. With hysteroscopy, complications occur in less than 1% of cases and can include:

• Risks associated with anesthesia.
• Infection.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Injury to the cervix, uterus, bowel or bladder.
• Intrauterine scarring.
• Reaction to the substance used to expand the uterus.

Recovery

The purpose of the hysteroscopy will determine the length of recovery. However, there are some general things that are common after any hysteroscopy procedure. You may experience the following:

• Cramping
• Slight bleeding or spotting for a day or so
• Shoulder pain (if carbon dioxide gas was used)
• Mild nausea
• Lightheadedness or dizziness

You’ll be able to eat or drink immediately following the hysteroscopy,then you’ll typically be able to leave in less than an hour. If your procedure requires regional anesthesia, your doctor may want you to wait until the effects have worn off before sending you home. This may also take less than an hour, but it could take longer depending on the amount of anesthesia used.

If your procedure requires general anesthesia, then it’s still an outpatient procedure. You’ll be able to return home after a few hours. Your doctor will only require an overnight stay in the hospital for observation if you have had a past reaction to anesthesia.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a pain medication to make recovery easier. If surgery is involved, then your doctor may have you rest for a day or two before resuming a normal schedule. Also, you should refrain from sexual activity for about a week. This helps reduce the chance of infection.