Thermal balloon endometrial ablation versus Roller ball ablation in treating premenopausal menorrhagia

ABSTRACT

To determine whether thermal balloon endometrial ablation can replace Roller ball ablation in treating premenopausal menorrhagia resistant to hormonal therapy. 57 premenopausal women complaining of abnormal uterine bleeding in the form of menorrhagia were enrolled in the study and were divided into 2 groups; group I included 27 women who had thermal balloon endometrial ablation while group II consisted of 30 women who had Roller ball ablation. No medication was used to suppress the endometrium in preparation for ablation in either group. Both procedures were performed under general anesthesia with pre-operative prophylactic antibiotics. All women were followed up for a period 12 months. Both groups were comparable in age, parity and body mass index. The improvement reported in the menstrual pattern after both procedures was not statistically different between both groups [p > 0.05]. Duration of ablation including the time for general anesthesia was significantly higher in group II [p < 0.05]. No significant difference was found in the intra and postoperative complications between the groups except vaginal discharge [p < 0.05]; this was a common postoperative complaint for all women [100%] in group II with a duration lasting between 9-19 days. Only 13 patient [54%] in group I complained of a serosanguious discharge for a period of 5-7 -days. No blood transfusion was required in either group. No fluid overload occurred in any case in group II. Thermal balloon endometrial ablation seems to be safe and effective alternative to Roller ball endometrial ablation in treating premenopausal menorrhagia resistant to hormonal therapy