[Is co-administration of ethanol to the distension medium in surgical hysteroscopy a screening method to prevent fluid overload? A prospective randomized comparative study of ablative versus non-ablative hysteroscopy and various ethanol concentrations].

OBJECTIVE

Is it possible to diagnose early a beginning fluid absorption during operative hysteroscopy by adding ethanol to the distension medium?

METHODS

A prospectively randomised comparative study of ablative versus non-ablative operative hysteroscopy with differing ethanol concentration was performed. Purisole (a mannitol/sorbitol solution) was used as distension medium.

RESULTS

The results of the study show that at those hysteroscopical procedures at which the endometrium is not or only minimally injured (e.g. syneciolysis, hysteroscopic proximal tubal catheterisation) an intraoperative screening is not necessary due to the low absorbing amounts. At the hysteroscopical procedures as the resection of myoma, endometriumablation and septumresection, however, an addition of ethanol of 2% to the distension medium has proved to be useful, because with this method absorbing amounts from 400 mls can be established by positive values of breath alcohol. As the result of a further absorption of fluid, but delayed in time compared to the first positive value of breath alcohol, there is an increase of the central venous pressure and a hyponatraemia.

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative ethanol-monitoring is a non-invasive procedure which can be performed at ablative-operative hysteroscopies and has no negative influence on the course of the intervention and the general condition of the patients.