Abstract: After Essure (Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) hysteroscopic sterilization procedure, a confirmation test is performed to evaluate the micro-insert position or tubal occlusion and assess the success of sterilization. The reference standard for confirmation of tubal occlusion is hysterosalpingography (HSG). 2-dimensional (2D) transvaginal ultrasonography was proposed to be an adequate noninvasive method for assessment of micro-insert position. However, when sterilization is complicated or when the confirmation with 2D transvaginal ultrasonography is unsatisfactory, HSG for evaluation of tubal occlusion is still indicated. Recently, hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) was introduced and was suggested to be a possible less invasive alternative to HSG during infertility workup. Our prospective study included patients, who underwent Essure hysteroscopic sterilization, followed by 2D transvaginal ultrasonography, HyFoSy and HSG 12 weeks after sterilization. 2D transvaginal ultrasonography was performed to assess the microinsert position. It was followed by HyFoSy and HSG for evaluation of tubal occlusion. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy HyFoSy compared to HSG for assessment of the efficacy of Essure hysteroscopic sterilization.

Keywords: hysteroscopic sterilization, 2D transvaginal ultrasonography, hysterosalpingo-foam sonography, hysterosalpingography

Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the University Medical Center Maribor for help and support.

Biography: Maja Rosič is specialist of gynecology and obstetrics at the General Hospital Ptuj. She is also a research assistant at the Faculty of Medicine University of Maribor, where she received her PhD in Biomedical technology. Her research is focused on the field of gynecology, obstetrics and ultrasound Imaging. She has published her research in peer-reviewed journals and is an author of many invited lectures at national and international gynecological conferences.