Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on endometrial cyrotherapy for menorrhagia

Description

Endometrial cryotherapy (or cryoablation) involves using cold temperatures to freeze and destroy the lining of the uterus (called endometrium). The procedure can be performed under general, regional or local anaesthesia, although sometimes no anaesthesia is required.

A probe (also called cryoprobe) is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus and is cooled by passing either liquid nitrogen or a compressed gas mixture through it. The tip of the probe is the site of freezing and is placed in the top part of the uterus. Activating the freeze cycle of the probe generates an ice ball in the uterus which destroys the target area of endometrial tissue. The freeze cycle is followed by a heat (thaw) cycle which allows the probe to be removed. Ultrasound is used to monitor the position of the probe and depth of freezing across the endometrium. Additional freeze/thaw cycles may be repeated if necessary.

OPCS4.6 Code(s):

Q17.3 Endoscopic cryotherapy to lesion of uterus

Includes: Endoscopic cryotherapy of uterus

_{The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding}

Details

Contact details:

Links:

	IPG157 Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia - guidance (web format)	04 April 2011
	IPG157 Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia - guidance	22 March 2006
	IPG157 Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia - information for the public	22 March 2006
	Interventional Procedure Consultation Document - Endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia	22 November 2005
	Interventional procedure overview of endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia	22 November 2005