Three-year comparison of thermal balloon and rollerball ablation in treatment of menorrhagia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare uterine balloon therapy and hysteroscopic rollerball endometrial ablation with respect to efficacy and safety in treatment of menorrhagia.


METHODS
Multicenter, prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I).


METHODS
Fourteen North American university and private practice sites.


METHODS
Women undergoing endometrial ablation for menorrhagia.


METHODS
Rollerball endometrial ablation or uterine balloon therapy.


RESULTS
Of 275 women randomized to one of these procedures, 255 were treated under the protocol and 214 were followed for 3 years. Results of uterine balloon therapy and rollerball endometrial ablation remained similar, with little difference at 3 years compared with results at 1 year. We noted a suggestion of an increase in hysterectomies in the rollerball group (14) compared with the uterine balloon therapy group (8) at 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial ablation with the ThermaChoice uterine balloon or rollerball continues at 3 years to be a successful method for treating menorrhagia, avoiding hysterectomy, decreasing dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms, and improving quality of life. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 8(1):48-54, 2001)
Loffer
F D
FD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, 3410 North 4th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome