Endometrial laser intrauterine thermotherapy: the first series of 100 patients observed for 1 year.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new instrument (GyneLase) that offers a new approach (endometrial laser intrauterine thermal therapy [ELITT]) to treatment of menorrhagia and to evaluate the efficacy of ELITT in the management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
100 premenopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding were observed for 1 year.


METHODS
Intrauterine laser thermotherapy with a diode laser.


METHODS
Amenorrhea rate after 1 year.


RESULTS
The amenorrhea rate after 1 year of follow-up was 71%, and the rate of amenorrhea/severe hypomenorrhea rate was >90%; these rates are much higher than those in the literature after such procedures as electrosurgery or intrauterine thermal balloon therapy. The ELITT procedure is an inherently safe and simple alternative, providing controlled and effective treatment of the entire endometrium. In contrast to traditional endometrial ablation using a neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, the ELITT procedure does not require intensive training or hysteroscopic control; it is also far less risky, because the power used per unit area is 1,000 times lower.


CONCLUSIONS
The ELITT procedure is a new nonhysteroscopic technique for endometrial ablation. The technique is very safe and offers the highest amenorrhea rate to date in the literature.
Donnez
J
J
Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. donnez@gyne.ucl.ac.be
Polet
R
R
Rabinovitz
R
R
Ak
M
M
Squifflet
J
J
Nisolle
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017697:Premenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life