3 Further information

3.1 The Institute has issued guidance for a number of interventional procedures with the same indications. These include laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer, laparoscopic laser myomectomy, magnetic resonance image-guided percutaneous laser ablation of uterine fibroids, uterine artery embolisation for fibroids, impedance-controlled endometrial ablation for menorrhagia, endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia, laparoscopic helium plasma coagulation for the treatment of endometriosis, and microwave, balloon thermal, photodynamic and free fluid thermal endometrial ablation. The Institute has also issued a technology appraisal on fluid-filled thermal balloon and microwave endometrial ablation for menstrual bleeding and a clinical guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding.

Andrew Dillon
Chief Executive
November 2007

Sources of evidence

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

'Interventional procedure overview of laparoscopic techniques for hysterectomy', December 2006.

Information for patients

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