Pain management in office procedures

Justin Clark

Advances in endoscopic technology and ancillary instrumentation have facilitated the development of operative hysteroscopic procedures in an outpatient setting Outpatient / office hysteroscopy is successful, safe and well tolerated. However, as with any procedure requiring instrumentation of the uterus, it can be associated with significant pain and anxiety. This not only impacts upon the woman’s satisfaction with their experience, but also limits the feasibility and possibly the safety, accuracy and effectiveness of the procedure. In order to minimise pain and discomfort, variations in hysteroscopic equipment, adaptations in technique and use of pharmacological agents have been advocated. This talk will assess all these components and future interventions to optimise pain management to facilitate successful office hysteroscopic procedures.

Justin Clark

Prof Clark is a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Birmingham Women’s & Children’s Hospital and University of Birmingham. He is the Immediate Past President of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. His clinical and research interests are in managing abnormal uterine bleeding / pelvic pain and endoscopic surgery. He has pioneered ambulatory gynaecology and has written the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists “green-top” evidence-based guidelines on best practice in office hysteroscopy. He has published widely, holds substantial research funding and is an Editor of the BJOG and FVVO.