High-power Nd:YAG laser ablation of the endometrium.
Nd:YAG laser ablation of the endometrium has become an established procedure for the treatment of menorrhagia. Early studies utilized only half the 100-120 W available from commercially produced lasers. A preliminary in vitro study was done to measure the depth of coagulation caused by the Nd:YAG laser. Fifty watts applied with the contact or noncontact technique reached a depth of 3-4 mm, while 4-5 mm was reached using 100-120 W in the noncontact mode. Thirteen patients underwent endometrial ablation using the Nd:YAG laser at 100-120 W. The mean operating time was 31 minutes. All the patients were available for follow-up, and all had excellent results.
Women's Laser Institute of Northern California, Los Gatos.
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Indman
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors