In-office placement of Essure feasible and fast, study shows.(Gynecology)(Essure hysteroscopic sterilization)

CHICAGO -- Essure hysteroscopic sterilization may be performed in an office setting with minimal analgesia, Dr. Gil A. Weiss said at the annual meeting of the AAGL (formerly the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists).

Physicians reported a 94% placement rate, which is comparable to the 86% rate seen in previous phase II and pivotal trials of the Essure device (Conceptus Inc., San Carlos, Calif.).

"It's reassuring that we had comparable success rates," Dr. Weiss said in an interview. "Once the learning curve is achieved, I believe that the office placement offers unique benefits that a hospital-based procedure cannot."

He presented data from a prospective study in which 155 women underwent bilateral hysteroscopic placement of the Essure device in an office setting at the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y.

A paracervical block and NSAIDs were provided for pain and for control and reduction of tubal spasm. The average patient age was 36 years, parity 2.7, and body mass index 30, which is classified as obese.

The rates of the confounding factors included the following: 34% of the patients had undergone cesarean section, 14% had a history of pelvic infections, and 44% had prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, which would have confounded a laparoscopic approach.

Of ...