Septic Shock Following Operative Hysteroscopy in a Menopausal Woman: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther. 2022 Oct 7;12(1):55-57. doi: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_33_22. eCollection 2023 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery such as hysteroscopy has a low risk of complications. Infections, however, are more common in the presence of risk factors such as smoking, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometriosis. We report the case of a patient who underwent operative hysteroscopy without immediate complications and was admitted 2 days later to the emergency department in a severe state of septic shock. With multiple organ failures requiring admission to an intensive care unit, the patient died despite extensive antibiotic therapy and vasoactive drugs. Ascending infection can be a potentially fatal complication of hysteroscopy, even in the absence of known risk factors.

Keywords: Complications; hysteroscopy; multiple organ failure; septic shock.

Publication types

  • Case Reports