Pharmacologic Interventions to Minimize Fluid Absorption at the Time of Hysteroscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess which interventions are effective in reducing fluid absorption at the time of hysteroscopy.

DATA SOURCE: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed (non-MEDLINE records only), EBM Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov , and Web of Science were searched from inception to February 2022 without restriction on language or geographic origin.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, all English-language, full-text articles reporting fluid balance, with an intervention and comparator arm, were included. Title and abstract screening and full-text review were completed independently by two authors. Conflicts were resolved through discussion and consensus. Studies' risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The search identified 906 studies, 28 of which were eligible for inclusion, examining the following interventions: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist; ulipristal acetate; vasopressin; danazol; oxytocin; and local, general, and regional anesthesia. A significant reduction in mean fluid absorption was seen in patients preoperatively treated with danazol (-175.7 mL, 95% CI -325.4 to -26.0) and a GnRH agonist (-139.68 mL, 95% CI -203.2, -76.2) compared with patients in a control group. Ulipristal acetate and type of anesthesia showed no difference. Data on type of anesthesia and vasopressin use were not amenable to meta-analysis; however, four studies favored vasopressin over control regarding fluid absorption. Mean operative time was reduced after preoperative treatment with ulipristal acetate (-7.1 min, 95% CI -11.31 to -2.9), danazol (-7.5 min, 95% CI -8.7 to -6.3), and a GnRH agonist (-3.3 min, 95% CI -5.6 to -0.98).

CONCLUSION: Preoperative treatment with a GnRH agonist and danazol were both found to be effective in reducing fluid absorption and operative time across a range of hysteroscopic procedures. High-quality research aimed at evaluating other interventions, such as combined hormonal contraception, progestin therapy, and vasopressin, are still lacking in the literature.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42021233804.