Endometrial electrosurgical resection by hysteroscopy in 32 menorrhagic patients: endometrial preparation with a GnRH agonist may have some effect on results.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of endometrial thinning by GnRH agonists on the results of hysteroscopic endometrial electrosurgical resection. In a prospective study, 32 women were treated with the GnRH agonist goserelin (Zoladex) before hysteroscopic endometrial resection. Endometrial thickness was measured before and after GnRH-a therapy by ultrasound. Short-term results in diminished vaginal blood loss and patient satisfaction were registered. The mean endometrial thickness (ET) before GnRH-a is 3.7 mm and after GnRH-a is 1.9 mm. In 24 cases, ET was reduced by a mean of 2.6 mm, in 1 case, no change was seen, and in 7 cases, ET increased by a mean 1.1 mm. The mean thickness rate (TR = ET before and after GnRH) is 2.7 (range 0.3-11). Fluid resorption during hysteroscopic surgery does not relate to ET or TR. Although the ET after GnRH-a therapy is not related to success or failure of the endometrial resection, there is some evidence that the TR is, probably expressing a more active state of the endometrium. Endometrial thinning by GnRH-a may have an effect on the results of hysteroscopic endometrial resection. In light of the present study and the literature, there seems to be no justification for abandoning preparation of the endometrium before hysteroscopic surgery.