Hydrothemal Ablation (HTA)
The Hydrothermal Ablation (HTA) procedure is used to treat women with excess uterine bleeding. To help diagnose the reason for the excess bleeding, you may need to consider having a hysteroscopy test, which is usually performed at the same time as the HTA.
During the procedure, first your physician will use a scope inserted into the uterus to take a close look at what may be causing excess bleeding. This is the hysteroscopy. He/she is looking for abnormal tissues such as tumors, polyps, or just extra tissue or scar tissue inside the uterus. Any of these could be the cause of excess bleeding. If he/she finds something, they may be able to remove it on the spot with some special instruments they insert through the scope.
Your physician may not be able to pinpoint the cause of excess bleeding. In this case they move on to the HTA procedure, and you will be administered a local anesthesia. The uterus is then flushed with heated water (90°) for 10 minutes. This destroys the lining in the uterus. Most patients experience lighter bleeding, or no bleeding, after this procedure.
The procedure itself is safe, but does inherit the general risks related to anesthesia and surgery. Pregancy after the procedure is not likely, since uterine lining was removed, so it is not recommended for women who want to bear children.
For more information, see: http://www.patient-education.com/Documents/Speciality_PDF/OBGYN/OBGYN.pdf