One-year results of the vesta system for endometrial ablation. A multicenter evaluation of endometrial ablation by Hydro ThermAblator and rollerball for treatment of menorrhagia. Hysteroscopic transcervical endometrial resection versus thermal destruction for menorrhagia: a prospective randomized trial on satisfaction rate. Randomised controlled trial of bipolar radio-frequency endometrial ablation and balloon endometrial ablation. Microwave endometrial ablation vs. rollerball electroablation for menorrhagia: a multicenter randomized trial. Thermal balloon ablation in myoma-induced menorrhagia under local anesthesia. A randomized comparison of endometrial laser intrauterine thermotherapy and hysteroscopic endometrial resection. A randomized study comparing endometrial cryoablation and rollerball electroablation for treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. A randomized, multicenter trial of safety and efficacy of the NovaSure system in the treatment of menorrhagia. A randomised controlled trial comparing the Cavaterm endometrial ablation system with the Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. A pragmatic randomised comparison of transcervical resection of the endometrium with endometrial laser ablation for the treatment of menorrhagia. Five-year follow-up of endometrial ablation: endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection. [Therapy of recurrent menorrhagia--Cavaterm balloon coagulation versus roller-ball endometrium coagulation--a prospective randomized comparative study]. Thermal balloon and rollerball ablation to treat menorrhagia: a multicenter comparison. Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation versus hysteroscopic endometrial resection to treat menorrhagia: the French, multicenter, randomized study. Comparison of microwave endometrial ablation and transcervical resection of the endometrium for treatment of heavy menstrual loss: a randomised trial. A double-blind randomized trial comparing the Cavaterm and the NovaSure endometrial ablation systems for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Comparison of the long-term histopathologic and morphologic changes after endometrial rollerball ablation and resection: a prospective randomized trial.
To compare a distensible multielectrode balloon for endometrial ablation with electrosurgical ablation performed by a combined resection-coagulation technique.
                Randomized, prospective trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting. Eight centers.
                Women with menorrhagia validated with a standardized pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC), without intracavitary organic uterine disease, who failed or poorly tolerated medical therapy. Intervention. Results in 122 patients treated by Vesta and 112 treated surgically, evaluable at 1 year, were compared, with success defined as monthly blood loss of less than 80 ml and avoidance of additional therapy.
                Pretreatment PBAC scores for patients treated by Vesta and resection or rollerball were 535+/-612 and 445 +/- 313, respectively; at 1 year they were 18+/-37 and 28+/-60, respectively. With PBAC below 75 as the definition of success, 86.9% of Vesta-treated patients were successful compared with 83.0% treated by rollerball or resection. Total amenorrhea, defined as no visible bleeding and no use of protective products, was 31.1% and 34. 8%, respectively. None of the outcome comparisons between treatments showed statistical difference. Complications in both groups were few and minor. Most (86.6%) Vesta procedures were carried out with paracervical block with or without intravenous sedation in an office or outpatient setting, compared with 79.7% epidural or general anesthesia for rollerball or resection.
                The Vesta system of endometrial ablation is equally effective and safe as classic resectoscopic methods. Potential advantages include avoidance of fluid and electrolyte disturbance associated with intravasation of distending media, and ability to perform the procedure under local anesthesia in an office setting with less total operating time. To compare results of endometrial ablation using the Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) and rollerball.
                Prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Nine private practice and university centers in the United States.
                Two hundred seventy-six women with menorrhagia due to benign causes.
                Endometrial ablation with the HTA (187 women) or rollerball (89).
                Menstrual diaries were kept for 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Reduction in diary scores to 75 or lower at 12 months was considered a success. For patients treated and followed according to protocol, success rates were 77% for HTA and 82% for rollerball. Amenorrhea rates at 12 months were 40% and 51%, respectively.
                Endometrial ablation with the HTA is safe and effective. It offers an advantage over rollerball ablation of being an office-based procedure, which reduces anesthesia requirements and obviates problems of fluid absorption. The purpose of this study was to compare the satisfaction rate and the effectiveness of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial resection and thermal destruction of the endometrium in the treatment of menorrhagia.
                A prospective randomized trial with 2 years of follow-up was carried out in the Department of Gynecology of the University of Naples. Eighty-two patients who were affected by menorrhagia that was unresponsive to medical treatment were respectively randomized to transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial resection or to thermal destruction of the endometrium. Satisfaction rate, operative time, discharge time, complication rate, reintervention rate, and resumption of normal activity were evaluated in each group.
                The satisfaction rate was significantly higher in the thermal destruction group. Operative time was significantly shorter in the thermal destruction group (24 +/- 4 minutes vs 37 +/- 6 minutes). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the thermal destruction group (7.2 +/- 2.8 mL vs 89 +/- 38 mL). Reintervention rates were higher in the transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial resection group, although postoperative pain was not significantly different between the two groups. Discharge time, complication rate, and resumption of normal activity were not significantly different between the two groups.
                Thermal destruction of the endometrium for the treatment of menorrhagia should be considered an effective therapeutic option because of its acceptability among patients, shorter operative time, and lower blood loss. To compare the effectiveness of two second-generation ablation techniques, bipolar radio-frequency impedance-controlled endometrial ablation (NovaSure) and balloon ablation (ThermaChoice), in the treatment of menorrhagia.
                Double-blind, randomised, controlled trial.
                A large teaching hospital with 500 beds in The Netherlands.
                Women suffering from menorrhagia referred by their general practitioner.
                Women suffering from menorrhagia, without intracavitary abnormalities, were randomly allocated to bipolar radio-frequency ablation (bipolar group) and balloon ablation (balloon group) in a 2:1 ratio. At follow up, both women and observers were unaware of the type of treatment that had been performed.
                The main outcome measure was amenorrhea at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomisation.
                One hundred and twenty-six women were included in the study, of which 83 were allocated to the bipolar group, and 43 to the balloon group. No complications occurred in either of the treatment groups. At the one-year follow up stage, amenorrhea rates were 43% (34/83) in the bipolar group and 8% (3/43) in the balloon group (treatment effect in time P < 0.001). At this stage, 90% of the patients in the bipolar group were satisfied with the result of the treatment against 79% in the balloon group (treatment effect in time P= 0.003).
                The bipolar radio-frequency impedance-controlled endometrial ablation system is more effective than balloon ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia. To compare the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) with those of rollerball electroablation (REA) for the treatment of menorrhagia.
                Randomized clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Eight academic medical centers and private medical practices.
                Three hundred twenty-two women with documented menorrhagia due to benign causes.
                MEA or REA.
                By intent-to-treat analysis, the success rate of MEA at 12 months (87.0%; CI 81.7%-91.2%) did not differ significantly (p = .40) from that of REA (83.2%; CI 74.7%-89.7%). Among evaluable patients, success rate was also similar (p = .24) in the MEA (96.4%; CI 92.7%-98.5%) and REA (92.7%; CI 85.6%-97%) groups. The amenorrhea rate in evaluable patients after MEA was 61.3% (CI 54.1 %-68.2%). In patients with myomas, the success and amenorrhea rates in evaluable patients after MEA were 90.3% (CI 74.2%-98%) and 61.3% (CI 42.2%-78.2%), respectively. In evaluable patients with body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater, MEA success rate was 96.7% (CI 88.5%-99.6%) compared with 81.8% (CI 59.7%-94.8%) for REA (p = .042). The ablation procedure was performed under IV sedation in 62% of patients in the MEA group versus 18% of patients in the REA group (p <.001); whereas, general anesthesia was employed more often in patients undergoing REA (37% vs. 76%, p <.001). No major complications were encountered. Patient satisfaction with results of treatment was high (98.5% of the MEA and 99.0% of the REA group).
                Microwave endometrial ablation is an efficacious and safe procedure for the treatment of menorrhagia. Over half of patients treated with MEA achieve amenorrhea, and the procedure is suitable for women with myomas and irregular uterine cavities. The procedure is easily learned and can be performed rapidly, under IV sedation in most cases. Our purposes were to compare the impact of surgery on menstrual blood flow reduction and on the increase in hemoglobin values as primary endpoints at 12 months, and operating time, complication rates, postoperative pain scores at 12 h and surgically induced amenorrhea rates at 12 months as secondary endpoints after roller ball endometrial ablation or thermal balloon ablation for myoma-induced menorrhagia.
                Menorrhagic women (documented by a validated pad scoring system) over 40 years of age, with a mobile myomatous uterus smaller than 12-week pregnancy, were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial to compare endometrial roller ball ablation and thermal balloon ablation after pharmacological endometrial thinning. One year after surgery, primary and secondary endpoints in both groups were compared.
                Forty-five subjects underwent endometrial thermal balloon ablation under local anesthesia and 48 underwent endometrial roller ball ablation under general anesthesia. Statistically significant but similar decreases in mean pictorial blood assessment score and increases in mean hemoglobin values were noted for both groups at 12 months. Those who underwent endometrial roller ball ablation had experienced significantly more intraoperative complications.
                Thermal balloon ablation under local anesthesia for myoma-induced menor- rhagia provided both significant and statistically similar reductions in menstrual blood flow and increases in hemoglobin values with no intraoperative complication compared to roller ball endometrial ablation. To investigate the difference of long-term amenorrhea rate in patients with menorrhagia treated by endometrial laser intrauterine thermal therapy (ELITT), a new nonhysteroscopic endometrial ablation procedure, versus transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial resection (TCRE).
                Randomized clinical study. Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment.
                Academic teaching hospital.
                Premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding.
                Fifty-eight patients were treated with the ELITT procedure and 58 patients with TCRE; both groups were treated with GnRH agonists before the procedure.
                Bleeding status and patient satisfaction after treatment were evaluated as well as the intraoperative complication rate.
                At 12 months, the amenorrhea rate was 56% in the ELITT group and 23% in the TCRE group. At 36 months, the figures were 61% for ELITT and 24% for TCRE. No significant complications were recorded for either procedure.
                Results of this randomized study demonstrate that both procedures are equally effective in the treatment of menorrhagia. However, the ELITT procedure has proven to be superior in inducing amenorrhea. To determine the effectiveness of endometrial cryoablation in comparison with rollerball electroablation.
                Prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Ten university and private medical centers in the United States.
                Two hundred seventy-nine women with menorrhagia due to benign causes.
                Endometrial ablation using a Her Option cryoablation device in 193 women and rollerball electroablation in 86.
                Women treated by cryoablation received significantly less general anesthesia (46%) than those treated by electroablation (92%). Subjects maintained menstrual diaries for at least one cycle before and for 12 months after the procedure. Success was defined as reduction of menstrual bleeding to a score of 75 or less in the absence of retreatment. Success rates in the cryoablation and electroablation groups were 77.3% and 83.8%, respectively. Bleeding declined by 92% and 94%, respectively. Both procedures led to significant improvements in a broad range of symptoms including menses-related pain, mood, and overall improvement in quality of life.
                Endometrial cryoablation is a safe and effective procedure in treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Its advantages include technical ease of performance, direct ultrasonographic view of depth of ablation, little anesthetic, and avoidance of potential complications related to distention media. To compare the safety and effectiveness of the NovaSure impedance-controlled endometrial ablation system with hysteroscopic wire loop resection plus rollerball ablation for treatment of excessive uterine bleeding in premenopausal women.
                Randomized, multicenter, double-arm study (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Nine academic medical centers and private offices.
                Two hundred sixty-five premenopausal women with symptomatic menorrhagia.
                Ablation performed with the NovaSure system or wire loop resection and rollerball.
                Success [pictorial blood loss-assessment chart (PBLAC) score < or =75] was achieved in 88.3% of NovaSure-treated and 81.7% of rollerball-treated patients. One year after treatment 90.9% and 87.8%, respectively, reported normal bleeding or less (PBLAC < or =100) and 41% and 35%, respectively, experienced amenorrhea (PBLAC = 0). Mean procedure time was 4.2 minutes (average 84 sec) in the NovaSure group and 24.2 minutes in the rollerball group. Local and/or intravenous sedation was administered in 73% of NovaSure patients and 18% of rollerball patients. Intraoperative adverse events occurred less frequently with NovaSure (0.6%) than with rollerball (6.7%). Postoperative adverse events occurred in 13% and 25.3% of patients, respectively.
                The NovaSure system was safe and effective in treatment of women with menorrhagia. The procedure is both quick and effective, and eliminates the expense and side effects of endometrial pretreatment. To compare the effectiveness of the Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation system with the Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
                Randomised controlled trial.
                Minimal access gynaecological surgery unit in a district general hospital.
                Seventy-two women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding requesting conservative surgical management of their condition.
                Women with a normal endometrial biopsy and normal uterine cavity were randomly allocated to endometrial ablation by Cavaterm or Nd:YAG laser. Patients completed pre-operative and 6- and 12-month post-operative questionnaires assessing menstrual symptoms, quality of life, sexual activity and procedural satisfaction and acceptability. All patients received a single dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue one month pre-operatively and kept blinded to the procedure performed until after the 6-month assessment.
                The primary outcome measure was amenorrhoea rate. Secondary outcomes were effect on blood loss, quality of life, sexual activity, patient satisfaction and procedure acceptability.
                Seventy-two women were randomised. Amenorrhoea rates at 12 months in the Cavaterm and endometrial laser ablation groups were 29% vs 39% (P = 0.286), with combined amenorrhoea and hypomenorrhoea rates of 73% vs 69%, respectively. At 12 months, repeat surgery rates were higher in the endometrial laser ablation group (15% vs 12%, P = 0.395). Cavaterm was an acceptable procedure and 93% of patients satisfied or very satisfied at 12 months (95% endometrial laser ablation). Both treatments were associated with an increase from baseline in the SF-12 physical score (Cavaterm mean difference -3.9, 95% CI -7.9, 0.2, ns; endometrial laser ablation mean difference -5.1, 95% CI -9.5, -0.7, P = 0.003) and mental health score (Cavaterm mean difference -5.6, 95% CI -9.9, -1.3, P = 0.001; endometrial laser ablation mean difference -5.9, 95% CI -11.7, -0.2, P = 0.04). Patient's own assessment of health (EQ-5D VAS) improved from baseline in both groups (Cavaterm mean difference -7.6, 95% CI -13.9, -1.3, P = 0.02; endometrial laser ablation mean difference -5.4, 95% CI -14.9, 4.2, ns). EQ-5D index scores also improved (Cavaterm mean difference -0.06, 95% CI -0.2, 0.005, ns; endometrial laser ablation mean difference -0.17, 95% CI -0.3, -0.02, P = 0.02). There were no major complications in either group.
                The results with the Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation system are as good as those obtained with the Nd:YAG laser when used for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the short term. It results in a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss, patient satisfaction and improvement in patient quality of life. Larger studies with longer follow up are required to determine its place in the modern treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. To compare endometrial laser ablation (ELA) with transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE) in the treatment of menorrhagia.
                Randomised controlled trial.
                Gynaecology department of a large teaching hospital.
                Women with menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding (n = 372) were randomly allocated to ELA (n = 188) or TCRE (n = 184).
                Operative complications, post-operative recovery, relief of menstrual and other symptoms, need for further surgical treatment, satisfaction with treatment after 6 and 12 months, and differential resource use.
                TCRE was significantly quicker, with lower rates of fluid overload. Perioperative morbidity was low and similar in both groups. Outcome at 12 months was also similar: 72 women (45%) had either amenorrhoea or brown discharge in the ELA group compared with 71 (49%) in the TCRE group; 79 (49%) versus 68 (46%) had lighter periods. Thirty (16%) versus 36 (20%) had received further surgical treatment: 9 (5%) compared with 25 (14%) had had a hysterectomy and 21 (11%) versus 11 (6%) had received repeat ablation. Anxiety and depression, dysmenorrhoea and pre-menstrual symptoms were improved by both procedures and bladder symptoms were affected by neither. At 12 months 148 (90%) women in the ELA group and 140 (91%) women in the TCRE group were satisfied with their treatment. The estimated additional cost of ELA was Pound 145 per procedure.
                At one year there was no clear difference in clinical outcome between ELA and TCRE. Both procedures were associated with low morbidity. ELA was the more costly procedure. Despite the need for further surgery for about one in six women, satisfaction rates were high following both ELA and TCRE. A randomized, controlled trial was performed to compare the patient complication rate, effectiveness, and satisfaction rate of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection in the treatment for heavy dysfunctional bleeding.
                One hundred and twenty women requiring endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy bleeding disorders entered the study. All patients were offered a clinical examination 24 months postoperatively and had a questionnaire by mail 5 years after the initial treatment. The number of complications during and after the operation, re-ablations, and hysterectomies were registered. A bleeding index and the patient satisfaction rate were stated.
                Sixty-one patients were treated by endometrial coagulation, and 59 were treated by endometrial resection. No differences between the two groups were observed concerning fluid absorption, bleeding, perforation, and infection. At the 5-year follow-up, 64% of the patients had only one ablation, 15% were treated twice, 15% had a hysterectomy, and 6% were lost to follow-up. After 5 years, the bleeding index was halved in patients with menses. Seventy-nine percent of the women would recommend the treatment to their best female friend.
                We found no significant differences in the frequency of complications. Only 15% of the women had a hysterectomy after 5 years. No significant difference was observed with respect to bleeding reduction and patient satisfaction in the two groups. In a prospective study 20 patients suffering from recurrent, therapy-refractory menorrhagias were pre-treated for endometrial ablation after exclusion of intrauterine abnormalities and histological pathology. Two injections of GnRH-analogues (3.75 mg leuprorelinacetate depot, Enantone Gyn, Takeda Pharma GmbH Aachen, Germany). Two weeks after the last injection a hysteroscopic surgery by roller-ball-techniques was performed in 10 patients and a balloon-thermocoagulation by Cavaterm-technique (Wallsten Medical, Morges, Schweiz) was performed in 10 patients. Both patients groups were comparable according to age and anamnesis. In a follow-up of 9 to 15 months we found about identical results. All 20 patients were satisfied with the treatment. The Cavaterm-coagulation is in comparison to the operative hysteroscopy a simple method for endometrial coagulation, and can also be used by an hysteroscopically inexperienced gynaecologists with simple technical equipment. In strict indication the Cavaterm-coagulation is a simple method of endometrial ablation in many patients. To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of a thermal uterine balloon system with hysteroscopic rollerball ablation in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
                Two hundred fifty-five premenopausal women were treated in a randomized multicenter study comparing thermal uterine balloon therapy with hysteroscopic rollerball ablation for the treatment of menorrhagia. Preprocedural and postprocedural menstrual diary scores and quality-of-life questionnaires were obtained. Twelve-month follow-up data are presented on 239 women.
                Twelve-month results indicated that both techniques significantly reduced menstrual blood flow with no clinically significant difference between the two groups as reflected by return to normal bleeding or less (balloon 80.2% and rollerball ablation 84.3%). Multiple quality-of-life questionnaire results were also similar, including percent of patients highly satisfied with their results (balloon 85.6% compared with rollerball 86.7%). A 90% decrease in diary scores was seen in more than 60% of patients in both groups. Procedural time was reduced significantly in the uterine balloon therapy group. Intraoperative complications occurred in 3.2% of the hysteroscopic rollerball patients, whereas no intraoperative complications occurred in the thermal balloon group.
                In the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, uterine balloon therapy is as efficacious as hysteroscopic rollerball ablation and may be safer. To compare the efficacy and safety of Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation with hysteroscopic endometrial resection.
                Multicenter randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Departments of obstetrics and gynecology in French university hospitals.
                Fifty-one women with menorrhagia unresponsive to medical treatment.
                Women were randomized to thermal destruction of the endometrium or to hysteroscopic endometrial resection. Women completed preoperative, 6-, and 12-month postoperative pictorial charts to determine Higham blood loss scores and a satisfaction questionnaire. Operative time, discharge time, complication rate, and resumption of normal activities were evaluated for each group.
                Amenorrhea rates were 36% (95% CI 19%-56%) and 29% (95% CI 8%-51%) in the Cavaterm and the endometrial resection groups at 12 months, respectively (ns). Both treatments significantly reduced uterine bleeding. The median decrease in Higham score at 12 months was significantly higher in women treated by Cavaterm (377, range 108-1300) than in women treated by resection (255, range -82 to 555) (p=.006). A subsequent hysterectomy for recurrent bleeding was performed in 2 women, both previously treated by resection. The rate of women reporting good or excellent satisfaction was 89% (95% CI 72%-98%) in the Cavaterm group and 79% (95% CI 54%-94%) in the resection group at 12 months. Discharge time was significantly lower in women treated by Cavaterm, although postoperative pain at 1 hour was higher. There were no major complications in either group.
                Cavaterm thermal balloon ablation was as effective as hysteroscopic endometrial resection to treat menorrhagia, both resulting in a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss and high patient satisfaction. Various new endometrial ablation techniques have emerged for the treatment of menorrhagia. We undertook a randomised controlled trial comparing one new technique, microwave endometrial ablation (MEA), with a proven procedure, transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE), for women with heavy menstrual loss.
                263 eligible and consenting women, referred for endometrial ablative surgery, were randomly assigned MEA (Microsulis plc, Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK; n=129) or TCRE (n=134). 230 participants were needed to give 80% power of demonstrating a 15% difference in satisfaction with treatment. All procedures were done under general anaesthesia 5 weeks after endometrial thinning with goserelin 3.6 mg. Questionnaires were completed at recruitment and at 12 months' follow-up. The primary outcome measures were patients' satisfaction with and the acceptability of treatment. Analysis was by intention to treat among women followed up to 12 months (n=116 MEA, n=124 TCRE).
                At 12 months, 89 (77%) women in the MEA group and 93 (75%) in the TCRE group were totally or generally satisfied with their treatment (95% CI for difference -12 to 17) and 109 (94%) versus 112 (90%) found it acceptable (-11 to 35). Mean operating times were shorter for MEA than for TCRE (11.4 vs 15.0 min, p=0.001) and the postoperative stay slightly but not significantly shorter. One blunt perforation occurred in each study group resulting in one immediate hysterectomy (TCRE group). Of eight health-related quality of life dimensions, all were improved after MEA (six significantly) and seven were improved after TCRE (all significantly).
                Both techniques achieved high rates of satisfaction and acceptability and both improved quality of life after 1 year. However, we cannot exclude a difference in satisfaction between the groups of less than 15%. MEA seems a suitable alternative to TCRE. To compare two second-generation endometrial ablation systems in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) who want conservative surgical treatment.
                A double-blind, randomized trial.
                A minimal access gynecological surgery unit in northeast England.
                Fifty-seven women diagnosed with DUB were recruited, with 55 undergoing surgery and completing 12-month follow-up.
                Thirty-seven women underwent a NovaSure endometrial ablation, and 18 had a Cavaterm endometrial ablation. Clinical and quality of life data were collected 6 and 12 months after treatment.
                Amenorrhea, menstrual change, quality of life, sexual activity, patient satisfaction, and procedure acceptability.
                Amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, eumenorrhea, and menorrhagia rates for the Cavaterm and Novasure groups at 12 months were 2/18 (11%) vs. 16/37 (43%); 11/18 (61%) vs. 10/37 (27%); 5/18 (27%) vs. 6/37 (16%); and 0/18 vs. 5/37 (13%), respectively. At 12 months, 83% and 92% of women were either satisfied or very satisfied in the Cavaterm or Novasure groups, respectively. There were no major complications in either group.
                Both the Cavaterm and the Novasure endometrial ablation systems are effective in reducing menstrual loss in women with DUB and achieve high rates of patient satisfaction. The Novasure system achieved a statistically significantly higher rate of amenorrhea in this study. To compare long-term histologic features of endometrial rollerball ablation versus resection.
                Randomized clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).
                Akdeniz University School of Medicine.
                Women with menorrhagia undergoing endometrial ablation.
                Comparison of patients with menorrhagia undergoing endometrial resection and ablation.
                Endometrial rollerball ablation (n = 23 women) and resection (n = 25) were followed by second-look office hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy. Mean follow-up to second look hysteroscopy after rollerball ablation and loop resection was 33.4 +/- 2.1 and 31.1 +/- 2.6 months, respectively. Complete atrophy and partial adhesion or obliteration of the cavity and fibrosis were observed at second-look hysteroscopy and were similar in both groups. Whereas all random biopsy specimens after both ablation and resection revealed diminished endometrial glands with varied necrosis and scarring, the number of endometrial glands per field was not correlated with amount of bleeding or menstrual pattern. Bleeding patterns were similar between the groups. No precancerous or malignant lesion was found after the procedures.
                Although efficacy of both endometrial ablation and resection is related to initial thermal destruction and correlated with postablation hysteroscopic and histologic findings, endometrial regrowth may be expected and is not a failure of ablation. Both procedures revealed histopathologically and clinically similar results.
Endometrial ablation techniques offer a less invasive surgical alternative to hysterectomy. The rapid development of a number of new methods of endometrial destruction has made systematic comparisons between methods and with the 'gold standard' first generation techniques difficult. Most of the newer techniques are technically easier than hysteroscopy-based methods to perform but technical difficulties with new equipment need to be ironed out. Overall, the existing evidence suggests that success rates and complication profiles of newer techniques of ablation compare favourably with hysteroscopic techniques.