Office hysteroscopy for removal of retained products of conception: can we predict treatment outcome?

Abstract

Purpose of investigation: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of office hysteroscopy in the management of retained product of conception (RPOC) and to identify those predictors for treatment success. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study that was conducted in tertiary university-affiliated medical center. One hundred and eight women with sonographic findings of RPOC, who underwent seeand-treat hysteroscopy, were included in this study. Demographic data, indication for treatment, and preoperative patient characteristics and ultrasound findings were evaluated as predictors for treatment outcome. Results: Office-hysteroscopy was well tolerated by most of the patients (96%), with an overall success rate of 65%. Causes of treatment failure were: actual RPOC size (assessed during seeand-treat hysteroscopy), bleeding, and pain. In univariate analysis, none of the examined factors was shown to predict complete removal of RPOC. Furthermore, RPOC size assessed by ultrasound was not shown to be valuable predictors for treatment outcome. Conclusions: The efficacy of office hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC is limited. Ultrasound measurement of RPOC size should not be used as a predictor for treatment outcome.