Microwave 'gun' saves surgery

The treatment prevents a two-month recovery period

A Bath doctor's revolutionary treatment for women who suffer with painful periods is being adopted by hospitals around the world.

Nick Sharp, a consultant at the city's Royal United Hospital, has pioneered a miniature microwave "gun" as an alternative to undergoing a hysterectomy.

Instead of facing major surgery and a two-month recovery period, patients now attend a day clinic with the procedure taking less than 10 minutes.

On Tuesday evening Mr Sharp will find out if he has won the innovation section of the prestigious Hospital Doctor Awards in London.

The probe sends out microwaves

The technique involves inserting a probe into the cervix and sending out microwaves to destroy the lining of the womb - thereby removing the need for a hysterectomy.

"The frequency we chose for this is different to the one you have in a microwave at home," Mr Sharp said.

"We didn't want it to penetrate deep into tissue so we limited the depth to about six millimetres.

"We use a specific frequency and it won't go any deeper than that."

Since the device was invented, hysterectomy operations at the Royal United Hospital have reduced dramatically.

The technique, which may shortly be used in the treatment of cancer patients, is already used at 50 centres in the UK and at hospitals in Australia and Canada.