Photocoagulation of the endometrium with the Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of menorrhagia. A report of ten cases.

Nd-YAG laser photocoagulation was performed on ten patients with chronic menorrhagia in an attempt to either decrease the menstrual flow sufficiently to obviate the need for hysterectomy or to obtain amenorrhea. The entire endometrial lining was treated, from the fundus down to 4 cm from the external cervical os. A blanching technique was accomplished by holding the fiber tip 5-10 mm from the endometrial surface. Patients were followed for an average of 12 months. All noted a marked reduction in the amount of menstrual flow; two became amenorrheic. One patient subsequently underwent hysterectomy for a preexisting uterine prolapse and progressive symptoms of dyspareunia and pelvic pain.