Laminaria tent for diagnostic and operative hysterectomy

Laminaria tents were inserted in 300 nonpregnant women to induce cervical dilation before diagnostic or operative hysteroscopy. All laminaria tents were inserted without anesthesia following uterine sounding. Diagnostic hysteroscopic procedures were performed with a 5.0 mm hysteroscope with video monitoring within 2-3 hours after insertion of the laminaria tent. Minimal analgesia was used. Operative procedures were performed approximately 24 hours after insertion of the laminaria tent with a 9 mm operative resectoscope. There were no complications with the use of the laminaria tent, such as infections or bleeding, but a few patients complained of mild menstrual-like lower abdominal discomfort. In all cases, the laminaria tent resulted in a softening and dilation of the cervix, which facilitated the passage of the diagnostic and operative hysteroscope.