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Effect of cervical traction with a tenaculum on the uterocervical angle
Author(s) -
JOHNSON NICHOLAS,
BROMHAM DAVID R.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1991.tb13399.x
Subject(s) - traction (geology) , medicine , surgery , uterus , cervical canal , cervix , anatomy , biology , paleontology , cancer
Summary. The effect of cervical traction on the uterocervical angle was measured radiographically in 24 women undergoing diagnostic curettage. A radio‐opaque guidewire was inserted through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity and a lateral pelvic X‐ray taken before and after traction. The traction force was measured with a spring‐balance attached to the tenaculum. Cervical traction in a caudal direction (force 2 N) reduced the median uterocervical angle, from 75° to 10° ( P = 0.001 ). Moderate cervical traction straightens the uterus and the routine use of a tenaculum theoretically makes insertion of an intrauterine device safer and the passage of an embryo transfer catheter less traumatic.