International Consensus Statement for Recommended Terminology Describing Hysteroscopic Procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a consensus statement of recommended terminology to use for describing different aspects of hysteroscopic procedures that can be uniformly used in clinical practice and research.

DESIGN

Open forum discussion followed by online video meetings.

SETTING

International community of hysteroscopy experts PATIENTS: Not applicable.

INTERVENTIONS

Series of online video meetings to complete a previously established agenda until a final agreement for standardized nomenclature was obtained.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

The adoption and implementation of a common terminology to standardize reporting of hysteroscopic procedures was proposed to cover five domains: pain management, healthcare setting, model of care, type of hysteroscopic procedure and the hysteroscopic approach to the uterine cavity. A final agreement was obtained after 3 online video meetings.

CONCLUSION

Hysteroscopy is the gold standard technique for the evaluation and management of uterine disorders. A clear definition and understanding of the terminology used to describe hysteroscopic procedures is lacking. The production of this international consensus statement for terminology to describe hysteroscopic procedures, covering pain management, setting, model of care, type of procedure and hysteroscopic approach, has the potential to enable more effective communication for both clinical and research purposes with the ultimate aim of improving patient care and clinical outcomes.