Movie: Endometrial resection (TCRE)
Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation was first described in 1981, and has since become an established procedure to treat abnormally heavy periods for those who do not want to undergo hysterectomy. It is not suitable if the womb is very large or if further pregnancies are being planned, but for others it is an attractive "day case" surgical option for this common symptom. TCRE involves excising the endometrium (lining of the womb), a little like coring out an apple, using an instrument called a resectoscope. There are several other methods for ablating the endometrium, but TCRE remains the only one which allows all the treated tissue to be examined by a pathologist, and is also the only technique which can deal with other common co-existing problems such as endometrial polyps and submucous uterine fibroids.