FLUID ABSORPTION DURING LASER ABLATION OF THE ENDOMETRIUM IN THE TREATMENT OF MENORRHAGIA

Twenty-six women participated in a two-part study to determine the magnitude of absorption of irrigating fluid during endometrial laser ablation (ELA), and the effect on this absorption of controlling the intra-uterine pressure (IUP) during ablation. Six women participated in the first part of the study in which IUP was uncontrolled during surgery. The mean fluid deficit was 2027 ml. In the second part of the study, 20 women were allocated randomly to two groups. In the first group (nine women), IUP was uncontrolled during surgery. The mean IUP was 100 mm Hg, mean maximum IUP 136 mm Hg and mean fluid deficit 1255 ml. In the second group (11 women), the IUP was controlled during surgery. The mean IUP was 66 mm Hg, mean maximum IUP 70 mm Hg, and there was no fluid deficit in any of the women. The study demonstrates that control of IUP during ELA was effective in preventing absorption of irrigating fluid.