Significance of endometrial polyps detected hysteroscopically in eumenorrheic infertile women

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2004-04, Vol.30 (2), p.84-89
• Main Authors: Shokeir, Tarek A., Shalan, Hesham M., El-Shafei, Mohamed M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Endometrial Neoplasms - complications; Endometrial Neoplasms - diagnosis; Endometrial Neoplasms - surgery; endometrial polyps; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; infertility; Infertility, Female - complications; Infertility, Female - surgery; Polyps - complications; Polyps - diagnosis; Polyps - surgery
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2003.00163.x

Aim:  To determine if the incidence of small endometrial polyps detected hysteroscopically in an infertile eumenorrheic population differed from that in an apparently fertile eumenorrheic population. Evidence was sought to determine whether removal of such lesions would enhance reproductive performance. Methods:  In a prospective study, 266 consecutive infertile women had undergone complete fertility evaluation. None of the women had experienced any change in their menstrual cycle. They were divided into two groups; 235 infertile patients (group 1) and 31 requesting a reversal of a previous tubal sterilization (group 2). All patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as part of their routine infertility evaluation. When endometrial polyps were noted they were removed by hysteroscopy and histopathologically examined. Patients in whom the only apparent finding was endometrial polyps were followed up to determine their reproductive outcomes subsequent to removal of the polyps. Results:  Of the 224 uterine cavities successfully visualized in the infertile group, 134 were judged to be normal (60%) and 90 were abnormal (40%). Endometrial polyps were noted in 35 patients of group 1 and in one patient of group 2 (P