Microwaves for menorrhagia: a new fast technique for endometrial ablation

Current ablative techniques for treating menorrhagia are unsatisfactory. We tried microwave energy, delivered by an 8 mm diameter probe in the uterine cavity, to treat 23 patients with functional menorrhagia. The mean treatment time was 2 min 12 s (range 50-310 s). 6 months after treatment the success rate is 83%, 13 patients (57%) are amenorrhoeic, and six (26%) are experiencing light menstruation. Three initial failures have been successfully retreated. The technique is safe, and is easier and quicker to perform than current alternatives.