Outpatient Treatment for Excessive Menstrual Bleeding Has Good Success Rate

Jackson, Miss. - September 17, 2003 - A new method for endometrial ablation, used to treat women with excessive menstrual bleeding, has a significant success rate, greatly improved over previous methods. The procedure can be completed on an outpatient basis in about 30 minutes.

OB/GYN Dr. Thomas Wiley of The Woman's Clinic uses the Hydro ThermAblator® (HTA) to circulate heated saline throughout the uterus, destroying the lining of the uterus. "Endometrial ablation has been around for about 15 years," said Dr. Wiley, "but the success rate with earlier methods was not desirable. In fact, until now we chose not to offer this treatment. However, using this method, studies show that about 50% of women are completely amenorrheic and 40 to 45% have a very scant period." Currently, physicians at The Woman's Clinic are the only physicians in Jackson who offer this procedure.

The procedure has three basic steps:

• The physician inserts a small hysteroscopic telescope into the uterus while room temperature saline solution is circulated through the uterine cavity.
• The fluid is gradually heated to approximately 90 degrees C, slightly lower than the boiling point for water, to treat the endometrium. The change in color of the lining shows the effect of the treatment.
• After about ten minutes for the treatment phase, cool saline solution replaces the heated fluid and then the instrument is removed.

Dr. Wiley uses general anesthesia for the procedure. "The patient's recovery is similar to what one experiences for a D&C," said Dr. Wiley.

"This is not something that every woman needs," said Dr. Wiley, "but it is a good option for a woman with significant problems with her period who does not need or does not want a hysterectomy." The procedure is not an option for a woman who may become pregnant.

Although the procedure is not indicated for women with significant uterine pathology, it can still be used for those with small fibroids. "The heated saline touches the entire endometrial surface, so even abnormal structures can be effectively ablated," said Dr. Wiley.

Since July, Dr. Wiley has done about 14 of these procedures. "The patients are well pleased with the results," he said.

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