Gynaecological surgery after endometrial ablation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the number of patients requiring further gynaecological surgery after endometrial ablation.


METHODS
A retrospective 20-26-month follow-up of private patients who underwent endometrial ablation, tracking subsequent surgical procedures through the Medicare database. Data were analysed on a national and State basis.


METHODS
1853 private patients who had had an endometrial ablation from 1 April 1991 to 30 September 1991. Seven different groups of subsequent gynaecological surgical procedures were investigated.


METHODS
The need for subsequent endometrial ablation, hysterectomy (by any means) and other forms of gynaecological surgery within the defined time period.


RESULTS
After initial ablation, 382 patients (21%) required further gynaecological surgery: 10% required hysterectomy; 6% required repeat ablation; and 5% of patients required other gynaecological procedures related to the uterus. These rates for further procedures were generally higher than reported previously after transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial ablation or resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial ablation is associated with a significant medium and long term failure rate, necessitating further intervention. This failure rate may have been previously underestimated, and our higher rate may still be an underestimate.
Molloy
D
D
Queensland Fertility Group, Brisbane.
Taylor
P T
PT
D001315:Australia; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure