New Breakthroughs in Flexible Hysteroscopy

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Hans van der Slikke, MD: “It’s April, 2003, we are in Cancun at the 12th ISGE conference and next to me, Professor Ren Marty, a very famous hysteroscopist, welcome Professor.”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Thank you, famous or not, but just a hysteroscopist is best.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “Yes, yes, and you had a beautiful presentation Professor Marty about a new device. You told me that it was one of your dreams that came true with this new device. What was this dream?”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Well, I was visiting the Olympus headquarters about ten years ago and we spent two or three hours discussing the future of fiberoscopy. They asked me a lot of questions, and finally they asked me if you could have one or two things in a hysteroscope, what would you like us to do for you? My answer was, first make the tip of the hysteroscope smaller and second, put a camera in the tip. Now the dream is has come true! Olympus just finished the prototype of the HYF-V, and that’s why I’m very proud to present it at this meeting. Proud, well, I did not build it, that’s the work of the Japanese, but it will be a revolution in the way of the image. It uses a digital camera and of course now everybody now knows what that is.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “Yes, it is a digital camera. Why was this one of your dreams? What is the main advantage of it?”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Well, ten years ago I wasn’t expecting a digital camera, because at that time the digital camera didn’t really exist yet, but I was expecting to get rid of the camera which is located outside behind your shoulder. After one or two hours, it’s gets too heavy. So a main advantage is comfort so now you’re closer to the target and that makes it easier for the view. My dream, and now they have made it.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “And the image is it better as well, because you’re using digital?”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Of course, because of the digital, it’s wonderful, so the miracle has been done. They have still maintained a 1.2 diameter channel for the normal saline to go through to dilate the uterine cavity. Also it allows at the same time to perform biopsies with flexible instruments and so on. So, because I thought maybe it would be not possible if you put the camera in the tip over 3.6mm to maintain the working channel they needed I am very pleased.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “So at this time, is it still a prototype?”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: It just got FDA approval in the United States. In Europe, it is not yet available yet, but it’s being done in East Europe.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “So this is a very exciting new development in hysteroscopy?.”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Yes, yes! I had the opportunity to have it for only two weeks because I saw the first prototype. I saw it in Belgium and then I just called my friends in Germany and told the Olympus people that I don’t have one to try. I was longing to try it just in order to present it in this Cancun ISGE meeting.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “How did it feel?”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Well, it’s nice; it’s very nice, I enjoy it. The best is to compare simultaneously the ordinary, regular fiberoscope image and just, on the other hand, compare with the one obtained with the HYF-V. Well, after that, you say how could I have been working with the regular instrument such a long time, because now this one is completely wonderful! I feel I must say for the viewers of OBGYN.net, I have no financial interest in the Olympus Company. I am French and so it’s really just what I, what a little French gynecologist thinks about hysteroscopy and what is good for the profession after 23 years.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “Your personal opinion.”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Absolutely! I have no vested interest at all. That’s very important because sometimes if you are financially interested, even if you are perfectly honest, you maybe try to persuade people that maybe this one is better than the other one. But, for me, I’m independent. It is really my opinion and I practice flexible hysteroscopy now for over 23 years. I was one of the first in Europe. I started with the gastro-hysteroscope first, but it was too big.”

Hans van der Slikke, MD: “Well, thank you very much Professor Marty. You’ve convinced me totally. Thank you.”

Prof. Ren Marty, MD: “Yes, I convinced you, but now you need to have one! Thank you Dr van der Slikke.”