Novasure Endometrial Ablation

Novasure Endometrial Ablation is a "flame-thrower" amongst the devices for endometrial ablation. It consists of an electrode with a sheath at the end; in the beginning of the procedure, the sheath is placed through the cervix. The electrode then expands and conforms to the shape of the uterine cavity. The device tests whether there is any rupture of the cavity and will not turn on if there is one. (As a safety measure, Novasure will turn itself off if 50 ohms of resistance occurs.)

Next, a small quantity of CO2 inflates the uterus so that the device is placed properly. If everything is OK, a short burst of radiofrequency energy, for no more than 90 seconds, destroys the endometrium, and the whole procedure lasts for less than 5 minutes. The device will also remove the desiccated issue from the cavity. Most patients can go home within an hour of the procedure. Besides speed, the main advantage of the Novasure system is that no preparation of the uterus need be done in advance. With other methods of ablation, the patient must receive several injections of Lupron Depot two months beforehand the scheduled date, the idea being to thin the endometrium so that the ablation can succeed better. One injection costs $400 -- you will need several of them, so it is very expensive. Not only that: it produces many unwanted side-effects, such as hot flushes, sweats etc. The procedure itself must be executed when the patient would not have her usual menstrual cycle.

Contrary to all that, Novasure does not need thinning of the endometrium, so there is no need for preparation and costly injections, and it can be done at any time of the woman's menstrual cycle.

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