TRANSCERVICAL ENDOMETRIAL CRYOABLATION (ECA) FOR MENORRHAGIA

Objective: To evaluate endometrial cryoablation (ECA) as a treatment f or menorrhagia. Method: Prospective study of 67 women. ECA uses the Jo ule Thompson principle of expanding gases. The ECA probe has a channel to inject saline solution into the uterine cavity. The probe is intro duced into the uterine cavity, which is distended with 5 ml saline sol ution. The device is activated for two freeze-thaw cycles. The saline solution forms an ice mold of the uterine cavity which can be observed by ultrasound scan. Results: No surgical or long-term complications w ere observed. Two-thirds of patients followed up for >3 months were co mpletely satisfied. Conclusions: ECA is technically very easy, can be learned quickly, is free of complications and led to improvement of me nstrual symptoms in 63% of patients followed up for 3-18 months. The d evice is virtually maintenance-free and requires only a small initial investment, while running costs are negligible.