The Application of the Nd : YAG Laser in CO2 Hysteroscopy

for more than 50 years, CO2 has been a proven medium for distention of the uterine cavity in gynecological endoscopy. While for laparoscopy only gaseous media such as air, CO2, or N2O are used, there are also liquid distention media for hysteroscopy. The intrauterine pressure and flow conditions were first investigated by Gauss in 1928 [8], but it was Lindemann [11] who, following the initiative of Menken [17], developed a gaseous distention method for inspection of the uterine cavity in the late 1960s. This method has become increasingly important during the past few years.