Abstract
ABSTRACT
Hysterectomy is the most often performed operation in the United States. Many patients undergo hysterectomy for chronic recurrent menorrhagia refractory to medical and surgical therapy. This paper describes a conservative method of treating menorrhagia on an outpatient basis using the neodymium:YAG laser through the hysteroscope. Sixty-one patients from four separate institutions with chronic recurrent menorrhagia are described. All patients have noted a decrease in menstrual flow or have become totally amenorrheic and, thus, have avoided the major operation of hysterectomy. Preliminary results indicate that ablation of the endometrium with the Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy in patients with chronic menorrhagia.
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