Light Physics Enhanced Camera Navigation in Hysteroscopy

Overview

Office hysteroscopy is the gold standard technique in the diagnosis of the intrauterine pathologies. Some interventions may also be carried out through the hysteroscopy. No-touch hysteroscopy technique confers several advantages in terms of patient discomfort over the traditional technique. Clinicians performing the hysteroscopy find their way from the vaginal introitus to the uterine cavity through direct visualization of the anatomic structures on their route. The investigators hypothesize that the utilization of the information derived from the 'light physics' would facilitate camera navigation during no-touch hysteroscopy and consequently ease reaching the uterus. This study aimed to compare the standard no-touch technique with the 'light physics' enhanced camera navigation in terms of patient comfort and procedural pain.

Office hysteroscopy is basically used in the diagnosis of the intrauterine pathologies. 'No touch' vaginal hysteroscopy does not require a speculum or tenaculum; thus, confers advantages in terms of patient discomfort over the traditional technique. The source of the pain in traditional hysteroscopy is the distention of the uterine cavity with the saline and the contact of the hysteroscopy equipment with the vagina and the cervical canal. The benefit in the pain obtained with the 'no-touch' technique is derived from the limitation of the contact of the hysteroscopy equipment with the vagina and the cervical canal. Clinicians performing the hysteroscopy find their way from the vaginal introitus to the uterine cavity through direct visualization of the anatomic structures on their route. Physics has been critical in the development of endoscopic techniques such as laparoscopy, cystoscopy, and hysteroscopy. The light source provides an illumined environment during the imagination with these techniques. During hysteroscopy, the light reflecting from the adjacent tissue appears bright, however, this reflection is weaker in farther tissue and these structures appear dark. With this in mind, the investigators hypothesize that the utilization of the information derived from the 'light physics' would facilitate camera navigation during no-touch hysteroscopy and consequently ease reaching the uterus. This study aimed to compare the standard no-touch technique with the 'light physics' enhanced camera navigation in terms of patient comfort and procedural pain.