The effect of intracervical vasopressin on the systemic absorption of glycine during hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of paracervical injection of vasopressin on the absorption of glycine during transcervical endometrial ablation. METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive women scheduled for elective hysteroscopic endometrial ablation were randomized to either the study or control group. All procedures were performed with a myoma resectoscopy using 1.5% glycine as the irrigating medium at a flow rate of 100 mL/minute. In the study group, a solution of 0.2 mg vasopressin diluted with 20 mL saline was injected paracervically. Blood samples were obtained through an indwelling intravenous catheter every 5 minutes until the completion of the operation. Serum sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels were measured at 20-minute intervals. In addition, glycine concentrations were determined by both rapid screening and quantitative amino acid analysis. RESULTS: Plasma glycine maximal concentrations were significantly lower (P < .001) in patients who received vasopressin, compared with controls (8.8 +/- 4.5 versus 16.0 +/- 6.3 mmol/L, respectively). The calculated extent of glycine absorption within the first 20 minutes of the procedure was 59.6 +/- 30.0 versus 179.8 +/- 66.2 mmol/L.minute in the study and control groups, respectively (P < .001). The differences in plasma sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels were not significant. CONCLUSION: Intracervical vasopressin administration significantly decreased systemic glycine absorption in patients undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial ablation.

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