Asherman's syndrome figures (FOI)

Request

I would like to know the percentage of patients who go on to develop “Asherman’s syndrome” following a dilation and curettage procedure under the gynaecology department at Jersey General Hospital?

I would also like to know the percentage incidents between consultants undertaking the procedure and the identification of Asherman’s Syndrome following the procedure compared to non-consultant led procedures.

Response

Asherman’s Syndrome is a rare uterine condition. Scar tissue (adhesions) forms inside the uterus. Whilst there is an association between surgery and the development of intra-uterine adhesions, infections or inflammation unrelated to any surgery may also be a cause for scar tissue in the uterus. Exact statistics on the prevalence of this condition globally are not known. 

Fewer than five cases of Asherman’s Syndrome have been identified by Health and Community Services in the past decade. As the number is small, the exact figure cannot be disclosed and Article 25 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied to protect the privacy of individuals.

As this condition has such a rare occurrence, Health and Community Services do not keep a database on the incidence of Asherman’s Syndrome. Consequently, it is not possible to provide the percentage incidence of this condition occurring following dilation and curettage procedures performed at Jersey General Hospital broken down by consultant versus non-consultant grade surgeons, and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

Articles applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Article 25 - Personal information

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it constitutes personal data of which the applicant is the data subject as defined in the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005.

(2) Information is absolutely exempt information if –

(a) it constitutes personal data of which the applicant is not the data subject as defined in the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005; and

(b) its supply to a member of the public would contravene any of the data protection principles, as defined in that Law.