Contrast infusion sonography to assess microinsert placement and tubal occlusion after Essure

To develop a technique for contrast infusion sonography and assess the possible use in determining microinsert placement and tubal status after Essure sterilization.

Techniques and instrumentation.

Healthy women in an academic multispecialty group.

Ten women desiring permanent sterilization who have recently undergone Essure hysteroscopic sterilization.

Contrast infusion sonography, an adaptation of hysterosalpingo contrast sonography, performed at 3-23 weeks after Essure placement.

To determine how readily tubal status and microinsert location could be assessed with this adaptation of hysterosalpingo contrast sonography.

All microinserts were readily identified and tubal status was assessed by identification or absence of real-time contrast agent flow.

This technique is very promising and could represent a convenient alternative to hysterosalpingogram (HSG) 3 months after Essure placement.