Glycine absorption in operative hysteroscopy: the impact of anesthesia

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of anesthesia on the absorption of glycine in operative hysteroscopy.

A retrospective cohort study was performed over 2 years. The absorption of glycine was compared among general anesthesia, local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, and spinal anesthesia. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

In all, 282 operative hysteroscopies were reviewed. The median absorption was 145 mL (10th-90th centile: 0-963 mL) for general anesthesia, 35 mL (10th-90th centile: 0-389 mL) for local anesthesia, and 100 mL (10th-90th centile: 0-500 mL) for spinal anesthesia (P = .002). In comparison with general anesthesia, local anesthesia was associated with lower rate of absorption of 500-1000 mL (4.2% vs 13.4%) and of 1000-1500 mL (3.6% vs 9.8; P = .002). Laparoscopic tubal ligation performed during the procedure was also associated with higher glycine absorption (odds ratio, 3.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-11.84).

Local anesthesia with sedation is associated with significantly decreased glycine absorption and lower rate of absorption > 500 mL when compared with general anesthesia.