Peritonitis from sorbitol distending medium after hysteroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Complications from hysteroscopy are infrequent. A case of peritonitis from sorbitol distending medium is presented.

CASE: A woman with menorrhagia underwent an uneventful diagnostic hysteroscopy. She had immediate postoperative peritonitis. Laparoscopy was performed, which revealed a normal uterus without perforation. Peritoneal exudates showed no organisms and only white blood cells. The peritoneal cavity was lavaged, and the patient promptly recovered. The peritonitis was likely from the sorbitol, which was used as distending medium and diffused through the tubes and spilled into the peritoneal cavity.

CONCLUSION: Peritonitis can presumptively occur from sorbitol when it is used as a distending medium and should be considered on the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with abdominal pain immediately after hysteroscopy.