Resectoscopic myoma vaporizer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a new resectoscopic electrode design intended to vaporize large intrauterine myomata.

METHODS

To study the vaporizing electrode's capabilities of destroying myomata on contact using electrical energy (cutting waveform), attempts were made to find the lowest effective power to accomplish the desired effect. Vaporization of myomata was performed in the outpatient surgical center of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center during operative hysteroscopy, with the patient under general anesthesia. The procedures were performed on 12 patients presenting with menorrhagia for whom intra-cavitary submucous myomata were discovered at office hysteroscopy, with attempts at settings of from 110-200 W.

RESULTS

Vaporization of myomata readily occurred, with 200 W of pure cutting waveform current the optimal setting.

CONCLUSIONS

A new grooved ball or grooved cylinder electrode can be used to vaporize portions of intrauterine myomata to facilitate their removal. Advantages of using the vaporizing electrode include significant reduction in the time of the procedure, avoidance of a large number of "chips" of myomata that interfere with the ease and safety of the resectoscopic procedure, apparently reduced intraoperative bleeding and intravascular intravasation.