Hegar dilators: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:07, 22 March 2025

Medical instruments used for dilating the cervix

Hegar dilators[edit]

Hegar dilators are a set of cylindrical medical instruments used primarily in gynecology to dilate the cervix or other tubular structures in the body. They are named after the German gynecologist Alfred Hegar, who developed them in the late 19th century.

Design and Function[edit]

Hegar dilators are typically made of stainless steel and come in a set of graduated sizes, ranging from 1 mm to 26 mm in diameter. Each dilator is a smooth, cylindrical rod with a slight taper at one end to facilitate insertion. The opposite end is usually rounded to provide a comfortable grip for the physician.

The primary function of Hegar dilators is to gradually stretch and widen the cervix or other tubular structures, allowing for easier access for surgical procedures or examinations. They are commonly used in dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, hysteroscopy, and the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Procedure[edit]

The use of Hegar dilators involves a stepwise approach, starting with the smallest size and gradually increasing to larger sizes. This gradual dilation minimizes the risk of trauma to the cervix and surrounding tissues. The procedure is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient's needs and the specific medical context.

Applications[edit]

Hegar dilators are used in various medical procedures, including:

Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A procedure to remove tissue from the inside of the uterus.
Hysteroscopy: A procedure that allows the doctor to look inside the uterus to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding.
Cervical Stenosis Treatment: Used to treat narrowing of the cervix.
IUD Insertion: Facilitates the insertion of intrauterine devices.

Advantages and Limitations[edit]

Hegar dilators are valued for their simplicity and effectiveness in achieving gradual dilation. However, their use requires skill and experience to avoid complications such as cervical lacerations or uterine perforation. Proper sterilization is essential to prevent infections.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Dilatatoren-Hegar.jpg|right|thumb|250 px|A set of Hegar dilators, from Hegar 4 to 17 (right to left)]]
+{{Short description|Medical instruments used for dilating the cervix}}
-'''Hegar dilators''' are [[dilator]]s used to treat [[vaginismus]], induce [[Cervix|cervical]] dilation, and for [[penile implant|inflatable penile implant]] procedures.<ref name=UR1948>{{cite book|title=The Urologic and Cutaneous Review, Volume 52|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aZlEAAAAYAAJ|year=1948|publisher=Urologic & Cutaneous Press|language=English |page=129}}</ref><ref name="Doleys2012">{{cite book|last=Doleys|first=Daniel|title=Behavioral Medicine|date=6 December 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|language=English |isbn=9781468440706|page=377}}</ref>
-== Description==
+==Hegar dilators==
+[[Hegar dilators]] are a set of cylindrical medical instruments used primarily in [[gynecology]] to dilate the [[cervix]] or other tubular structures in the body. They are named after the German gynecologist [[Alfred Hegar]], who developed them in the late 19th century.
-Hegar dilators were developed and introduced by [[Alfred Hegar]] in 1879.<ref>M Tschoudowski: ''De la dilatation du canal cervical (d’après Hegar).'' (1879) Arch Tocol 6: 737–755</ref> Typically, dilators are a set of metal rods of increasing diameters, from a few millimeters up to 26 millimeters. The rods are round, slightly curved, and have a conal tip. Some sets have conal tips at both ends, while others have one end flattened for handling. Hegar dilators are marked with a Hegar number equivalent to 0.5 millimeters.
+==Design and Function==
+Hegar dilators are typically made of stainless steel and come in a set of graduated sizes, ranging from 1 mm to 26 mm in diameter. Each dilator is a smooth, cylindrical rod with a slight taper at one end to facilitate insertion. The opposite end is usually rounded to provide a comfortable grip for the physician.
-== Use in the treatment of vaginismus ==
+The primary function of Hegar dilators is to gradually stretch and widen the cervix or other tubular structures, allowing for easier access for surgical procedures or examinations. They are commonly used in [[dilation and curettage]] (D&C) procedures, [[hysteroscopy]], and the insertion of [[intrauterine devices]] (IUDs).
-Hegar dilators are used to treat [[vaginismus]], also known as genito-pelvic pain disorder.<ref name="Doleys2012"/><ref name="UR1948"/> Females with vaginismus use Hegar dilators of gradually increasing size, followed by penetration from their male partner.<ref>{{cite journal|year=1980|title=Therapy of vaginismus by hypnotic desensitization|journal=[[American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology]]|volume=137|issue=1|pages=1–7|pmid=6102843|accessdate=|language=English|author=Fuchs K|doi=10.1016/0002-9378(80)90376-2}}</ref>
-==Cervical procedure use==
+==Procedure==
+The use of Hegar dilators involves a stepwise approach, starting with the smallest size and gradually increasing to larger sizes. This gradual dilation minimizes the risk of trauma to the cervix and surrounding tissues. The procedure is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient's needs and the specific medical context.
-Hegar dilators are used to induce [[cervical dilation]] in order to gain entry to the interior of the [[uterus]].
+==Applications==
+Hegar dilators are used in various medical procedures, including:
-During the process of dilation, the [[cervix]] may have to be stabilized with a [[tenaculum]], and then the dilators are slowly entered into the cervical canal with a lubricant, starting with a thin, low Hegar number rod and progressing gradually to larger numbers.<ref>{{cite book |vauthors=Hellman LM, Pritchard JA |title=Williams Obstetrics, 14th edition |publisher=Appleton Century Croft, 1971 |page=1089f}}</ref> The dilators can also be used to sound the uterus.
+* '''Dilation and Curettage (D&C):''' A procedure to remove tissue from the inside of the uterus.
+* '''Hysteroscopy:''' A procedure that allows the doctor to look inside the uterus to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding.
+* '''Cervical Stenosis Treatment:''' Used to treat narrowing of the cervix.
+* '''IUD Insertion:''' Facilitates the insertion of intrauterine devices.
-Hegar dilators are widely used in gynecology to open up the cervix. This may be necessary prior to a uterine [[curettage]] or biopsy. They have also found application in the management of [[vaginismus]] or [[hymen]]al stenosis.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Segal TR, Fried WB, Krim EY, Parikh D, Rosenfeld DL | title=Treatment of microperforate hymen with serial dilation: a novel approach |journal=J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2015 (Apr),28(2):e21-2 |pmid=25444056 |doi=10.1016/j.jpag.2014.06.001 |volume=28 | issue=2 |year=2015 |pages=e21–2}}</ref> They are also used to overcome [[stenosis]] in non-gynecological situations, such as in [[urology]] and [[proctology]].
+==Advantages and Limitations==
+Hegar dilators are valued for their simplicity and effectiveness in achieving gradual dilation. However, their use requires skill and experience to avoid complications such as cervical lacerations or uterine perforation. Proper sterilization is essential to prevent infections.
-[[Laminaria]] rods have also been used to open up the cervix but work slowly as they increase size by absorbing water.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Gynecology]]
+* [[Cervix]]
+* [[Dilation and curettage]]
+* [[Hysteroscopy]]
+* [[Intrauterine device]]
-==Penile implant procedure use==
+[[Category:Medical instruments]]
-Hegar dilators (commonly, sizes 11 and 12) are used during the insertion of two intracorporal cylinders into the [[Corpus cavernosum penis]] as part of an [[Inflatable penile implant]] procedure. These cylinders are inflated and deflated by a pump that moves sterile saline under pressure between a holding reservoir and the cylinders, inflating or deflating an erection of the penis.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Al-Shaiji|first1=TariqF|last2=Al-Enezi|first2=Ahmad|last3=Al-Khadhari|first3=Sulaiman|title=Three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis: Surgical techniques and pitfalls|journal=Journal of Surgical Technique and Case Report|date=2011|volume=3|issue=2|pages=76–83|doi=10.4103/2006-8808.92798|pmid=22413049|pmc=3296438}}</ref>
+[[Category:Gynecology]]
-==References==
-<references/>
-[[Category:Surgical instruments]]
-[[Category:Gynaecology]]