Endometrial ablation in the women's Hospital, HMC, Doha, Qatar: a retrospective cohort

To study the outcome of various methods of endometrial ablation as a treatment of heavy vaginal bleeding, the records and post-operative histories were reviewed of 122 women with a mean age of 47 years who attended the Women's Hospital, Doha, Qatar, between January 2002 and December2005. Post-operative amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or a normal flow plus a satisfied patient were considered evidence of success; a need for further medical or surgical intervention was considered failure. Fifty-eight women [47.5%] had Thermachoice Balloon Ablation with a success rate of 83%; 37[30%] had Microwave Endometrial Ablation [MEA] with 71% success; and 27[22%] had Transcervical Resection of Endometrium [TCRE] with 74% success. Apart from the duration of the procedures there were no statistically significant differences in age, parity, pre-operative haemoglobin and platelets, presence of fibroids, pre-operative endometrial preparation by hormones, or final satisfaction level. It is concluded that Balloon Thermal Ablation, MEA and TCRE are equally effective for the treatment of abnormal vaginal bleeding