Acute tissue effects during transcervical endometrial resection

The acute tissue effects of transcervical endometrial resection (TCRE) with a standard Iglesias resectoscope using glycine 1.5% for irrigation were studied in 8 women prior to hysterectomy. Combinations of 80 or 120 W cutting current with blend 1 or 2 were applied for endometrial resection, preceded by cornual endometrial coagulation with the roller ball electrode with a coagulation effect of 40 or 60 W. The temperature was measured at the uterine vessels, ovarian ligaments and serosal surface. The increase in temperature at the serosal surface was 2.0 degrees C during cornual coagulation and 0.3 degrees C during endometrial resection, independent of the current effect applied. The maximum depth of tissue damage was 1.7 mm. No change in temperature was found at the uterine vessels or ovarian ligaments. The tissue destruction and the increase in temperature of the uterine surface are minimal, and TCRE offers excellent histological material. Careful coagulation/resection in the cornual and isthmus regions is recommended.