Abstract
ABSTRACT
Artificial sapphire contact probes offer theoretical advantages in Nd:YAG endometrial ablation. To examine this, an in vitro and in vivo study of laser-tissue interaction was performed. In vitro, a linear correlation was found between applied energy and total depth of effect, that is, photovaporization and photocoagulation. Using a Round (MTR 1.5) contact probe, an applied energy of 30 joules gave a depth of myometrial effect of 3.3 mm. In vivo, there was a significant reduction in tissue effect (p < 0.001) compared to in vitro. Difficulty of manipulation of the contact laser probe within the uterus also caused a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in depth of tissue ablation achieved on the posterior uterine wall compared with that achievable at the uterine fundus, but this may be counteracted by increasing applied energy. (J GYNECOL SURG 8:31, 1992)
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