Outpatient Hysteroscopy
The last few years in gynaecology have seen a major move from inpatient gynaecology to outpatient procedures. This obviously is far more convenient to the women as outpatient procedures disrupt life much less and does not take up hospital beds. It is the ideal management where an inpatient stay and a general anaesthetic are not needed.
The Hysteroscopy clinic has been in existence for about three years. The women that come to this clinic are those who are being screened for lesions inside the uterus which cannot be identified any other way. Either using no anaesthetic or local anaesthetic a camera is introduced into the uterus and this gives clear vision of the cavity. The vast majority in this group are completely normal and therefore women can be reassured that despite the fact that they have symptoms there is no serious lesion causing these. It is hoped that this service will be extended in the future so that it will be accessible to more women.

What is a Hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy is a procedure which allows the doctor to look directly into the womb. This is done using a very thin telescope (hysteroscope). This is gently passed
through the cervix ( the neck of the womb). Water is passed through a tube into your womb so that when the doctor looks down the telescope the inside of the womb can be clearly seen.

What will happen when you attend?
When you come to the outpatients department the doctor will explain the procedure to you. If you have any questions the doctor will be pleased to answer them. It is important that you let the doctor or the nurse know about any allergies or reactions to drugs or other tests in the past.

Once you have spoken to the doctor you will be asked to get changed; that is to take off all your clothes below the waist and put on a hospital gown. When you are ready you will lie on an examination couch and the nurse will ask you to rest your legs on two knee supports which are placed on either side of the couch. An antiseptic solution is used to clean the cervix and an instrument called a speculum is gently placed into the vagina and this will allow the doctor to see the neck of the womb. You may be given a local anaesthetic and, if so, the doctor will wait until this has had time to work before gently passing the hysteroscope through the cervix into the womb. The doctor will explain what he or she is seeing

What wil happen afterwards?
Once the procedure is over you will stay for a short while in the recovery room where you will be given a cup of tea or coffee. It is advisable that you arrange for someone to pick you up and that you rest at home for the remainder of the day.

Are there any after effects?
You may find that there is a small amount of bleeding which should be no more than a normal period. Bleeding should only last for a day or two. If you feel that your blood loss is abnormally heavy or if you have severe pain, please contact the Emergency Room of this hospital.

If you experience period like pains after this procedure you are advised to take some painkillers, e.g paracetamol. Any pain that you have should not last for more than 24 hours.

Results
You will be given the results of this examination by the doctor next time you attend the Outpatients Department.

Click here for further information on Visiting Outpatients Clinics