Efficacy and satisfaction rate comparing endometrial ablation by rollerball electrocoagulation to uterine balloon thermal ablation in a randomised controlled trial

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. 97 - 103
• Main Authors: van Zon-Rabelink, Ingrid A.A., Vleugels, Michel P.H., Merkus, Hans M.W.M., de Graaf, Ruurd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10-05-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Catheter Ablation; Efficacy; Electrocoagulation; Endometrial ablation; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Menorrhagia; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Non tumoral diseases; Patient Satisfaction; Rollerball electrocoagulation; Thermachoice; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Hemorrhage - pathology; Uterine Hemorrhage - surgery; Netherlands; Endometrial ablation; Efficacy; Thermachoice; Rollerball electrocoagulation; Menorrhagia; Menstruation disorders; Electrocoagulation; Gynecology; Satisfaction; Balloon; Ablation; Hemorrhage; Obstetrics; Female genital diseases; Female genital system; Uterine diseases; Clinical trial; Endometrium; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2003.10.010

Objective: To compare two methods of endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic rollerball electrocoagulation (RBE) and non-hysteroscopic uterine balloon thermal ablation (Thermachoice™), regarding efficacy for reducing dysfunctional uterine bleeding and patients satisfaction rate.
Methods: A randomised controlled study was performed in a teaching hospital at the department of gynaecology. One hundred and thirty-seven premenopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding proved by validated menstrual score list were included. Endometrial ablation by a hysteroscopic or non-hysteroscopic method was performed by one gynaecologist.
Results: Reduction of menstrual blood loss was significantly more successful at 24 months for thermal ablation with uterine balloon. Success rate measured by menstrual score <185 for rollerball and thermal balloon ablation are equivalent at 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Satisfaction of the patients for both methods at 24 months post-operatively is not significantly different (respective 75% for rollerball and 80% for uterine balloon).
Conclusions: Endometrial ablation by uterine balloon thermal ablation (Thermachoice™) is equally effective as hysteroscopic RBE of the endometrium.