A new iridium applicator for vaginal vault irradiation.

A new disposable gynecologic applicator designed for postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy is presented. The applicator is afterloading manually with iridium 192 wire. We have used this new applicator in more than thirty patients and recorded the following advantages: 1) There is no need to install expensive and complicated equipment; 2) Single use applicators are in sterile packages and are ready to use; 3) Applicator is easily and comfortably carried by patient; 4) There is no need for specific training to use the system; 5) There is no need for general anesthesia during application; 6) There is no need for patient immobilization during treatment; 7) There is no need for urinary catheterization during treatment; 8) Dose distribution is homogeneous; 9) Bladder and rectum doses are at acceptable levels; 10) Radioprotective measures needed to be taken are inexpensive. We believe that this new system could easily be used in every radiation oncology unit.