The Acceptability of hydrosonography for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding: a pilot study

Abstract

Objectives. Hydrosonography allows to evaluate the thickness of endometrial layer when it was not visualized well by transvaginal ultrasound and to differentiate between diffuse and local endometrial pathologies. However, the procedure is associated with some side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acceptability of hydrosonography for premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Objectives. 1. To evaluate the patient’s satisfaction of the procedure. 2. To assess the pain felt during and after the procedure. 3. To evaluate the incidence of bleeding after the procedure. Materials and Methods. Patients satisfaction and main side effects of the procedure were evaluated with questionnaires, that were fulfilled immediately after the procedure and one week after the hydrosonography. Postmenopausal patients were included to experimental group and premenopausal women – to control group. The pain level was assessed in 10 cm visual analogue pain scale. Results. 10 patients were included to the study, 8 added in experimental and 2 to control group. 10 (100%) were satisfied with the explanation about the procedure and agreed to repeat the procedure in necessity. 8 (80%) felt pain immediately after the procedure, 7 (70%) felt pain one week after the procedure. Median pain score after the hydrosonography and one week after the procedure was 4 and 1, respectively. 2 (20%) patients experienced mild bleeding after procedure. Conclusions. All patients were satisfied with the procedure and would repeat it if it is necessary. After the hydrosonography patients experienced mild pain that relieved during the first week. Mild bleeding after procedure was mentioned by small part of the patients.