Analysis of pain and satisfaction with office-based hysteroscopic sterilization

Objective

To assess pain and patient satisfaction with office-based hysteroscopic sterilization.

Design

This prospective, observational study was designed to assess patient pain perception and satisfaction with office-based hysteroscopic sterilization using the Essure device (Conceptus, Mountain View, CA).

Setting

Faculty practice office at an inner-city urban medical center.

Patient(s)

Women seeking hysteroscopic sterilization.

Intervention(s)

Office hysteroscopic sterilization under local anesthesia.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Pain assessed at the time of the procedure by a 0–10 visual scale and satisfaction by a 1–5 scale.

Result(s)

From June 2003 to June 2006, 209 patients were recruited. The mean scores for average procedural pain, most procedural pain, and average menstrual pain were 2.6 ± 2.1, 3.3 ± 2.5, and 3.6 ± 2.6, respectively. Standardized pain scores revealed that 149 subjects (70%) experienced average pain that was less than or equal to the pain experienced with their menses. Mean satisfaction rating for the procedure was 4.7 ± 0.71.

Conclusion(s)

Office-based hysteroscopic sterilization performed with local anesthesia alone is well tolerated, and patients are satisfied with this method for permanent sterilization.

Key Words: Essure, office hysteroscopic sterilization