title: Endometrial Ablation with the EnAbl System
abstract: We assessed the safety of a new method of endometrial ablation using heated saline in 11 patients who were undergoing elective hysterectomy. The EnAbl system consists of a controller, computer, and disposable, flexible probe that provides in situ heating and circulation of the saline while maintaining a tight seal at the internal os. The system's low pressure precluded ligation of the oviducts. Temperatures of the saline, uterine serosa, subserosa, and oviducts were monitored throughout the 15-minute procedure in all 10 treatments and 1 control. Histology revealed an average depth of treatment of 4 mm, including necrosis of the surface myometrium. Average depth of necrosis was consistent throughout the cavity regardless of the presence of insignificant myomas. Serosal, subserosal, and oviduct temperatures remained low (&lte;45&deg; C) during the 10 treatments of 70 to 85&deg; C. We believe that this method provides an efficacious depth of treatment while maintaining safe serosal temperatures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sterility and Infertility, Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia, Urales 800 Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City, 11000 Mexico.
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bustos-Lopez
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ibarra-Chavarria
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vadillo-Ortega
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nava-Loya
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Baggish
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Valle