Hysteroscopic appearance of the uterine cavity before and after microwave endometrial ablation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the appearance of the uterine cavity before and after microwave endometrial ablation (MEA).


METHODS
Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-two women with menorrhagia.


METHODS
Hysteroscopic examination the uterine cavity before and after MEA.


RESULTS
Ablation was complete in 55 patients (group A). Seven women had a small island of intact endometrium (group B); the uterine cavity was severely distorted in six of these patients due to submucous myomas in five and adenomyosis in one. Another patient in this group had an acutely retroverted uterus, a 15-mm intramural myoma, and a normal uterine cavity. Women in group B had deeper uterine cavity than those in group A (101.4 +/- 15.5 and 84.7. +/- 12.8 mm, respectively, p = 0.008). The duration of ablation was also longer in group B (329.1 +/- 158.4 sec) than in group A (206.1 +/- 67.4 sec, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Microwave endometrial ablation tends to be incomplete in women with a large and severely distorted uterine cavity. Whether, this results in a lower success rate remains to be seen. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 8(1):83-86, 2001)
Tulandi
T
T
McGill Reproductive Center, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A1A1, Canada.
Felemban
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology*