TY - JOUR
T1 - Overcoming the challenging cervix
T2 - Techniques to access the uterine cavity
AU - Christianson, Mindy S.
AU - Barker, Matthew A.
AU - Lindheim, Steven R.
PY - 2008/1
Y1 - 2008/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE. To identify cervical stenosis and review medical, surgical, and radiological modalities to access the uterine cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Computerized searches of Medline and PubMed from 1996 to 2005 were conducted using the key words "cervix," "cervical ripening," and "cervical stenosis." References from identified publications were manually searched and cross-referenced to identify additional relevant articles. We review relevant techniques on how to access the uterine cavity when cervical stenosis is encountered. RESULTS. Many gynecologic procedures require uncomplicated access through the cervix to access the uterine cavity, including hysteroscopy, dilation and curettage, sonohysterogram, hysterosalpingogram, endometrial biopsy, and embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization. These procedures can be quite complicated when a cervix is obstructed. Management techniques described include the medical use of misoprostol and laminaria, intraoperative ultrasound guidance, and operative creation of a new passage. Additionally, techniques for bypassing the obstructed cervix and preventing cervical stenosis have been described. CONCLUSIONS. Cervical stenosis can result in iatrogenic complications. Preoperative identification, cervical ripening agents, osmotic dilators, and the use of ultrasound guidance are useful in overcoming cervical stenosis. It is also key to identify those at risk for cervical stenosis and implement preventative techniques as needed.
AB - OBJECTIVE. To identify cervical stenosis and review medical, surgical, and radiological modalities to access the uterine cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Computerized searches of Medline and PubMed from 1996 to 2005 were conducted using the key words "cervix," "cervical ripening," and "cervical stenosis." References from identified publications were manually searched and cross-referenced to identify additional relevant articles. We review relevant techniques on how to access the uterine cavity when cervical stenosis is encountered. RESULTS. Many gynecologic procedures require uncomplicated access through the cervix to access the uterine cavity, including hysteroscopy, dilation and curettage, sonohysterogram, hysterosalpingogram, endometrial biopsy, and embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization. These procedures can be quite complicated when a cervix is obstructed. Management techniques described include the medical use of misoprostol and laminaria, intraoperative ultrasound guidance, and operative creation of a new passage. Additionally, techniques for bypassing the obstructed cervix and preventing cervical stenosis have been described. CONCLUSIONS. Cervical stenosis can result in iatrogenic complications. Preoperative identification, cervical ripening agents, osmotic dilators, and the use of ultrasound guidance are useful in overcoming cervical stenosis. It is also key to identify those at risk for cervical stenosis and implement preventative techniques as needed.
KW - Cervical stenosis
KW - Laminaria
KW - Misoprostol
KW - Ultrasound
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=37549030167&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/lgt.0b013e318150676d
DO - 10.1097/lgt.0b013e318150676d
M3 - Review article
C2 - 18162809
AN - SCOPUS:37549030167
SN - 1089-2591
VL - 12
SP - 24
EP - 31
JO - Journal of lower genital tract disease
JF - Journal of lower genital tract disease
IS - 1
ER -