Long-term patient satisfaction and removal rate after essure sterilization: a follow-up study

Background

The objective of our study was to assess the rate and causes for Essure® micro-insert system removal and patients’ long term satisfaction rate with the procedure.

Methods

All patients who underwent Essure® hysteroscopic sterilization at our tertiary centre between years 2007 and 2018 were included in this follow-up study. A questionnaire was sent to all patients per standard mail. Patients who did not respond to questionnaires per mail, were called by phone. The satisfaction with the Essure® sterilization, as well as any additional procedures after the insertion or insertion-related complications were analysed.

Results

From the year 2007 to 2018, we performed 427 Essure® hysteroscopic sterilizations and of these, 329 patients responded to the questionnaire (response rate 77%). Ten patients (3%) had Essure® removal, two of them due to pain (0.6%). Patients were very satisfied with the procedure (9.5 on scale 0–10). Most patients (95.3%) would recommend the procedure to their friend.

Conclusions

Essure® hysteroscopic sterilization is a procedure with a very high satisfaction rate and a very low removal rate due to sterilization-related complications.

Trial registration Institutional review board of University medical centre Maribor approved the study, approval number UKC-MB-KME-73/19.

Ultrasound-guided injections in pelvic entrapment neuropathies

Pelvic entrapment neuropathies represent a group of chronic pain syndromes that significantly impede the quality of life. Peripheral nerve entrapment occurs at specific anatomic locations. There are several causes of pelvic entrapment neuropathies, such as intrinsic nerve abnormality or inflammation with scarring of surrounding tissues, and surgical interventions in the abdomen, pelvis and the lower limbs. Entrapment neuropathies in the pelvic region are not widely recognized, and still tend to be underdiagnosed due to numerous differential diagnoses with overlapping symptoms. However, it is important that entrapment neuropathies are correctly diagnosed, as they can be successfully treated. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, ischiadic nerve, genitofemoral nerve, pudendal nerve, ilioinguinal nerve and obturator nerve are the nerves most frequently causing entrapment neuropathies in the pelvic region. Understanding the anatomy as well as nerve motor and sensory functions is essential in recognizing and locating nerve entrapment. The cornerstone of the diagnostic work-up is careful physical examination. Different imaging modalities play an important role in the diagnostic process. Ultrasound is a key modality in the diagnostic work-up of pelvic entraptment neuropathies, and its use has become increasingly widespread in therapeutic procedures. In the article, the authors describe the background of pelvic entrapment neuropathies with special focus on ultrasound-guided injections.