3 Further information

3.1 The Institute has issued safety and efficacy guidance on uterine artery embolisation and laparoscopic laser myomectomy, and will issue interventional procedures guidance on laparoscopic total hysterectomy in 2004 [Now published as 'Laparoscopic hysterectomy (including laparoscopic total hysterectomy and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy) for endometrial cancer'].

3.2 The Institute is also in the process of developing a clinical guideline on hysterectomy and alternative surgical treatments for menorrhagia and other conditions. The expected date of issue of this guideline is September 2005 [Now published as 'Heavy menstrual bleeding: investigation and treatment'].

Andrew Dillon
Chief Executive
December 2003

Sources of evidence

The evidence considered by the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee is described in the following document.

'Interventional procedure overview of magnetic resonance image-guided percutaneous laser ablation for uterine fibroids', April 2003.

Information for patients

NICE has produced information on this procedure for patients and carers ('Understanding NICE guidance'). It explains the nature of the procedure and the guidance issued by NICE, and has been written with patient consent in mind.