The use of Laminaria japonica in intracavitary radiation therapy when anesthesia is contraindicated.
Laminaria tents have been used to dilate the cervix for interruption of pregnancy and other intrauterine procedures. Their use is presented in 5 patients with cervical and endometrial carcinoma where general anesthesia was contraindicated. Cervical dilation was sufficient with a single Laminaria to carry out intrauterine and intravaginal instrumentation for radiation therapy with no local or general anesthesia.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007795:Laminaria; D008875:Middle Aged; D012624:Seaweed; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy