Objective: To study the potential for dissemination of endometrial tissue substances during transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE).
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: One university and two county hospitals.
Participants: Forty-eight women with dysfunctional bleeding.
Interventions: The serum levels of two endometrial proteins, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and placental protein 14 (PP14), were measured before and every 10 min during the operations. Blood loss was also measured by a photometer together with absorption of the irrigating fluid containing glycine 1.5% and ethanol 1% by expired-breath tests, and serum sodium and volumetric fluid balances.
Main outcome measures: Linear correlations between changes in IGFBP-1 and PP14 during TCRE and operating parameters such as operating time, blood loss and fluid absorption.
Results: The baseline levels of IGFBP-1 were normal but PP14 could only be detected in one third of the patients, which was due, in part, to pre-operative treatment with danazol. The highest levels of IGFBP-1 and PP14 during surgery correlated positively with the baseline concentrations. Fluid absorption (median 405 ml, range 0-2177) was the only surgical factor associated with increasing serum levels of endometrial proteins.
Conclusion: Absorption of the solution used to irrigate the uterus is associated with dissemination of endometrial products in the bloodstream during TCRE.