Pressure and Flow Characteristics of Various Resectoscopes
We evaluated the pressure and flow characteristics of four hysteroscopic resectoscopes using both gravity and suction. Each hysteroscope was introduced through a port into a sealed chamber of 150 ml volume. A pressure reading was made from the chamber and flow was measured. Using gravity feed, the mean maximum flow rate for the four devices was 512 ± 29 ml/minute, with a mean chamber pressure of 41 ± 24 mm Hg at maximum flow. Using suction, the mean maximum flow rate for the devices was 948 ± 74 ml/minute, with a mean chamber pressure of -65 ± 39 mm Hg at maximum flow. The gravity-fed maximum flow rate was very similar for all devices tested and virtually doubled under suction. More variability was apparent in chamber pressure data, especially during suction.