Endometrial ablation using hysteroscopic instillation of hot saline solution into the uterus

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of endometrial ablation by hysteroscopic instillation of hot saline using the Hydro-Therm -Ablator (R) (FITA) system. Methods: A total of 14 patients with menorrhagi a, underwent the HTA procedure under general anethesia. Follow up of 9-18 m onths is reported. Three patients had undergone tubal ligation years before the procedure and one underwent it immediately after HTA at the same sessi on. Results: One procedure was cancelled due to technical problems, and rol ler-ball ablation was performed. There were no procedure related complicati ons. A total of I I patients reported significant reduction in bleeding, or amenorrhea, 9-18 months after the HTA procedure. One patient, although eum enorrheic after the ablation, considered the procedure a failure and reques ted hysterectomy. One patient with menorrhagia 3 months after the procedure , had a second FITA ablation and is now amenorrheic. Conclusions: This seri es of patients who underwent HTA ablation had successful reduction of menor rhagia to oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland L td. All rights reserved.