Endometrial ablation by hysteroscopic instillation of hot saline solution

Current methods of endometrial ablation to treat excessive uterine bleeding use laser or electrosurgical energy sources. These procedures are highly skill dependent, and numerous cases of fluid overload as well as other complications have been reported. A new method of endometrial ablation instills heated 0.9% normal saline at 80 to 90 degrees C. The fluid is recirculated and therefore, it is possible to measure accurately and predetermine the maximum amount of allowable absorption that occurs. Animal data indicate that the procedure is effective and may be safer than current methods of endometrial ablation. Standardization of this new method will require clinical trials, initially with women undergoing hysterectomy, for proper evaluation of the extent of thermal damage in relation to the time and intensity of heat exposure.