The medium- and long-term outcome of endometrial ablative techniques

Objective: To determine the medium-term (1-3 years) and long-term (3-5 years) outcome for women who underwent endometrial ablative techniques. To determine the uptake of these operations and the outcome results. Study design: The hospital records of all women who underwent either Uterine Balloon Therapy (UBT) or VESTA (Multiple Electrode Device) since our commencement of use of these procedures in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin were reviewed. Medium-term assessment was by retrospective analysis of the patient records for the incidence of complications and the necessity of further medical and surgical treatment. Long-term outcome was assessed by completion of a questionnaire by all patients. Demography, complications, patient satisfaction, new symptomatology and the need for further treatment were assessed. Forty-four women who underwent UBT and 40 women who had VESTA ablation formed our study group. Results: Our main outcome measures were assessment of the amenorrhoea rate and patient satisfaction in the long-term. Medium-term follow-up revealed a 90 % success rate. Long-term follow-up showed on overall treatment success of 80 % and a patient satisfaction rate of 73 %. Conclusion: Both UBT and VESTA were associated with high rates of amenorrhoea and patient satisfaction in the long-term. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.