Six hundred endometrial laser ablations.
OBJECTIVE
To report the effectiveness and safety of endometrial laser ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia, as determined by detailed follow-up of 600 operations for at least 6 months.


METHODS
Operative data from 600 endometrial laser ablations performed on 524 women were collected. Five hundred one (96%) of these women were followed with consultations and questionnaires. The mean duration of follow-up was 15 months (range 6-42).


RESULTS
No major operative morbidity occurred. There were no cases of primary or secondary hemorrhage, uterine perforations with the operating instrument, or immediate laparotomy. A successful outcome was reported by 83.4% of patients. A second endometrial laser ablation was required in 14.3% of the women. Success increased with increasing age and low fluid absorption. Cavity length, operation time, duration of follow-up, and whether it was a first or second procedure were not associated with any difference in the success rate, although the hysterectomy rate tended to rise with increasing length of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This study, the largest one published from a single institution, with a mean follow-up duration of 15 months, confirms that endometrial laser ablation is a safe and effective treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Garry
R
R
Women's Endoscopic Laser Foundation, South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.
Shelley-Jones
D
D
Mooney
P
P
Phillips
G
G
D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005665:Furosemide