Complications of hysteroscopy

To review the complications of hysteroscopy.

A retrospective review of the literature on hysteroscopy, to focus on some of the problems that the surgeon may face following this easy and usually safe procedure.

Complications both from large series and isolated reports are included. They can be immediate, varying from an innocuous perforation of the uterus to injury to the bladder, bowel or vascular structures. Haemorrhage may be arrested by simple techniques or may require a laparotomy and hysterectomy. Problems include infection; complications of the distending medium, including CO₂ and air embolism; anaesthetic complications, and thermal injuries. Delayed complications, such as haematometra, rupture of the uterus in a subsequent pregnancy and the need for a repeat procedure including hysterectomy, are other possibilities.

Though hysteroscopy is a safe and easily executed procedure, it may be associated with mild or severe morbidity and even mortality.