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Oral Presentations a wireless scope since minimal power is required and illumination cables are not. As CMOS chip size is reduced and LED intensity increases remote micromachine imaging devices can be designed and traditional scopes eliminated. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005 (3:15 PM–3:21 PM) Open Communications 12—Instruments 227 A Series of 285 Patients, with a 12-Month Follow-Up, Treated with “Helica” For Endometriosis: A New and Safe Thermo Coagulation Energy Chandakas S, Erian J, Hill N. Princess Royal University Hospital, London, Kent, Great Britain; Farnborough Common, Kent, Great Britain; London, Great Britain Study Objective: The helica thermal coagulator is a new instrument that combines low pressure helium gas with electrical power and is used for the treatment of endometriosis. The device is very simple to use and is able to rapidly treat large areas of endometriosis or surrounding peritoneum. Study Objective: To assess the safety of the Helica Thermal Coagulator in the laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis. Design: Two hundred eighty-five women with endometriosis, a retrospective, observational study. Setting: Princess Royal University Hospital, London, UK. Patients: Two hundred eighty-five women with endometriosis were treated laparoscopically with the Helica Thermal Coagulator, 71% were nuliparous. In a further 35% of patients, dyspareunia was the major problem. According to the revised American Fertility Classification: 68% had stage 1 disease, 15.5% had stage 2 disease, 10% had stage 3 disease and 6.5% had stage 4 disease. Intervention: No major complications occurred in the patients treated with the probe without the cutting end. However, one patient had a vagina perforation from the cutting probe. The defect was sutured vaginally and the patient had an uneventful recovery. No patients had bladder, ureteric or bowel perforations. Measurements and Main Results: When seen for follow up 12 months later, no major complications were reported and the success rate was 89% (women feeling less pain than before the operation). Conclusion: The Helica Thermal Coagulator is a safe device for the treatment of endometriosis.

S93 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005 (3:21 PM–3:27 PM) Open Communications 12—Instruments 228 Comparative Evaluation of Vessel Sealing Technologies during Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Turner DJ. Santa Barbara, California Study Objective: Recent advances in technology have provided the surgeon with options for sealing and transecting vessels and soft tissues during minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. This study provides a sideby-side, comparative evaluation of currently available, state of the art vessel sealing instruments for use during laparoscopic hysterectomy. Previously submitted data demonstrated higher seal strengths and minimal thermal side-effects with one of these instruments. This study evaluates whether or not the previous data translates into surgical efficacy. Design: Prospective study of laparoscopic hysterectomy cases comparing efficacy of currently marketed state of the art vessel sealing instruments. For each case, one side of the uterus is taken down with the EnSeal vessel sealing instrument; the other side is taken down by another vessel sealing instrument for comparison. Setting: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, California. Patients: Women requiring laparoscopic hysterectomy. Intervention: Laparoscopic hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results: Efficacy is evaluated in terms of the following: visual field impairment by presence of smoke, observations of excessive heat demonstrated by production of char on tissue, potential destruction of seal integrity by evidence of tissue sticking to jaws of instrument during energy delivery, quality of seal measured by absence of blood flow, visual observation of collateral damage, and relative speed. Preliminary data demonstrated high seal strengths with EnSeal and a significant reduction in the amount of undesirable side effects produced by excessive heat such as smoke, char, tissue sticking, and collateral damage. Conclusion: Previously submitted data and preliminary clinical use of the instruments suggest that the EnSeal instrument outperforms the others evaluated in this study in terms of the key evaluation points. In the author’s opinion, this translates into improved clinical efficacy.