[The development of a new flexible hysterofiberscope and its clinical application]

Hysteroscopy is a diagnostic method for intrauterine lesion. Most kinds of hysteroscope are rigid in type. Cervical dilatation and insertion of the trocar are necessary for hysteroscopy. These procedures can be very painful to the patient. Also subsequent blood clotting and injury to the endometrium may interfere with the diagnosis. With the help of Fuji Photo Optical Company, a new flexible hysterofiberscope (3.7 mm in diameter) was developed. The scope is divided into three portions; a front flexible part, a rigid middle part and a soft rear part. Cervical dilatation and anesthesia were not required even in a primiparous woman. The operator can observe the cervical canal, the uterine cavity and the tubal ostium very easily in a comfortable position. From Nov. 85 to Sep. 86 we carried out hysteroscopy in 411 patients with this new scope. The fluid medium which we used was a solution of 10% dextrose in water. The indications for hysteroscopy were abnormal uterine bleeding (187 cases), uterine myoma (80 cases), sterility (52 cases), post-transcervical surgery (22 cases) and others (70 cases). No complications were encountered during or after the procedure. The results were satisfactory. This new flexible hysterofiberscope has been proved an efficient tool for intrauterine diagnosis.