Intrauterine applications of the resectoscope.

The resectoscope, used for decades in the surgical treatment of the bladder, has important applications for gynecologic procedures as well. The surgeon may either resect intrauterine disease or ablate the endometrium with the use of the resectoscope. Both of these outpatient procedures offer women significant reduction in risk and cost compared with extensive surgical procedures that they replace. The resectoscope delivers surgical energy of equal effect to the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser at a fraction of the cost. Gynecologists who wish to learn this new technique must be familiar with hysteroscopy as well as fluid imbalance problems.