Microwave endometrial ablation for menorrhagia caused by large submucous myomas

To examine the feasibility of microwave endometrial ablation (MEA), using a curved microwave applicator, in patients with menorrhagia caused by a submucous myoma greater than 3 cm in diameter, which is among the contraindications for conventional endometrial ablation.

Patients included were refractory to medication, more than 45 years of age, and due to undergo hysterectomy to treat menorrhagia as a result of submucous myomas, although they hoped to avoid hysterectomy. Three patients underwent MEA at 2.45 GHz using a curved microwave applicator and microwave tissue coagulator to treat menorrhagia. Patients 1, 2 and 3 had submucous myoma nodes 4.5, 5.0 and 13 cm in diameter respectively. The applicator was guided under transabdominal ultrasonography to microwave irradiation sites arranged to cover the entire uterine lining based on preoperative magnetic resonance images. MEA was performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. Microwaves were irradiated at 40 W for 50 s for single irradiation sites.

Patient 1 became amenorrheic after the second MEA, which was performed 2 months after the first operation. Patients 2 and 3 became amenorrheic after the first MEA. Postoperative abdominal pain was controllable by a suppository of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patients were discharged the day after the operation. No remarkable complications were encountered during or after surgery.

Microwave endometrial ablation improves menorrhagia caused by large submucous myomas when the microwave applicator reaches all parts of the uterine cavity.