Endometrial dye instillation: a novel approach to histopathologic evaluation of morcellated hysterectomy specimens.

The purpose of this prospective pilot case study was to determine whether instillation of trypan blue dye into the uterine cavity before laparoscopic hysterectomy and morcellation aids in gross identification of endometrium. The most common commercially available trypan blue stain, VisionBlue was used in this study. Instillation was performed at the beginning of the procedure using an embryo transfer catheter. A sterile solution of trypan blue, 0.5 mL, was instilled transcervically into the uterine cavities in 12 patients before laparoscopic hysterectomy with uterine morcellation. The morcellated specimens were sent for routine gross pathologic and histologic examination. It was concluded that intrauterine instillation of trypan blue stained the endometrium, thus aiding the pathologist in identification of the endometrium in morcellated uterine specimens.

Patient satisfaction with thermal balloon ablation for treatment of menorrhagia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether satisfaction in women who have undergone the thermal balloon ablation (TBA) procedure for menorrhagia at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is consistent with initial published studies. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred sixteen patients were mailed a survey regarding patient satisfaction, postoperative bleeding patterns, and need for additional surgery. The follow-up interval was 13-60 months. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 88%. Eighty-nine percent of women were satisfied with the results of their procedure. After 3-5 years, 37% of women reported amenorrhea and 44% reported minimal/light bleeding. Only 9% of women eventually required hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: This study confirms a patient satisfaction rate in our institution that is consistent with initial published studies.