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 (HTA) system.

METHODS: A total of 14 patients with menorrhagia, underwent the HTA procedure under general anethesia. Follow up of 9-18 months is reported. Three patients had undergone tubal ligation years before the procedure and one underwent it immediately after HTA at the same session.

RESULTS: One procedure was cancelled due to technical problems, and roller-ball ablation was performed. There were no procedure related complications. A total of 11 patients reported significant reduction in bleeding, or amenorrhea, 9-18 months after the HTA procedure. One patient, although eumenorrheic after the ablation, considered the procedure a failure and requested hysterectomy. One patient with menorrhagia 3 months after the procedure, had a second HTA ablation and is now amenorrheic.

CONCLUSIONS: This series of patients who underwent HTA ablation had successful reduction of menorrhagia to oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.