Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 8/15/2010

Question
Hi, I was wondering if you could give me the different options for an operative hysteroscopic polypectomy (small one, <2cm). I had diagnostic hysteroscopy before with no  drugs at all and less than moderate pain for 10 minutes after it was done. Could the operative one be done with painkiller only? Is it up to me, the surgeon and/or the anesthesist?
Thanks

Answer
Hi there Iris
It is up to the experience of the surgeon really. I suspect if it was small enough to take out without an anaesthetic then it would have been done while they were examining you this last time. I can't be sure and you need to ask your surgeon but it seems likely to me that at that size it may well cause some discomfort when being removed. Therefore most people I see have a light general anaesthetic. Some surgeons can do more with the use of local anaesthetic blocks but again this is fairly limited. So you need to chat this through with your surgeon.
Hope this helps
Dr Ian Jackson