Diagnostic Hysteroscopy Consent - DRAFT

 

Responsible for policy - Thomas Ind

Last reviewed - in process

Last date page electronically updated - 28/04/2005

Next review - 1/4/2006

 

 

There is not enough room on the form to include everything that is required as part of informed consent. Below are the points that need to be discussed while giving informed consent and if not specifically documented on the consent form they should be documented in the notes or in a clinic letter.

 

Name of proposed procedure or course of treatment

Hysteroscopy and curettage. This involves an examination whilst you are asleep and an instrument is placed on the cervix (neck of the womb). The neck of the womb is dilated up and a telescope is used to examine the inside of the womb. Finally, an instrument is used to take a biopsy of the lining of the womb.

 

Intended benefits

This is a diagnostic procedure and will not cure your problem.

 

Serious of frequently occurring risks

Infection of the womb occurs in 4 per 1000 procedures ¹ and may result in the need for antibiotics. The initial part of the procedure is blind to the surgeon. As a result of this it is possible that an instrument can pass through the muscle of the womb. This occurs in about about 1 in 170 procedures and is called ‘uterine perforation’ ¹.

 

When uterine perforation occurs, the bladder or bowel can be damaged and this may result in a major abdominal operation that involves an up and down incision on the tummy. The risk of this is about 1 in 700 ¹ for everyone having a hysteroscopy and curettage. The perforation may also result in the need for a hysterectomy and the risk of this is about one in 1700 ¹.

 

The combination of all the above risk factors and the complications of a general anaesthetic to be explained to you by the anaesthetist result in a small mortality rate of less than one in 200,000. If you have a chronic medical problem this risk is slightly higher.

 

 

Any extra procedures which may be necessary during the procedure

BLOOD TRANSFUSION - Bleeding that may require a blood transfusion occurs on average in 4 of 1000 procedures ¹.

OTHER - If perforation occurs there is a risk of an open abdominal operation (1 in 700).

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Ind T. In: Progress in Obstetrics & Gynaecology 13. Churchill Livingstone, 1998.