Medium-term follow-up of women with menorrhagia treated by rollerball endometrial ablation.
BACKGROUND
To assess medium-term efficacy of rollerball endometrial ablation in a district general hospital.


METHODS
From March 1992 to June 1997, 91 women underwent rollerball endometrial ablation for uncontrolled menorrhagia unresponsive to medical treatment. Each was sent a detailed questionnaire after at least 18 months (range 18-55). There was an overall response rate of 88% (80/91). Case notes were reviewed to collect additional data related to pre-operative management and actual operative procedure. The main outcome measures included treatment satisfaction, relief of symptoms, improvement in health related quality of life, at least 18 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Thirty-five of the 80 women (44%) had achieved amenorrhea. Ten women required further treatment; of these seven had a hysterectomy (9%). None of the non-responders had a hysterectomy. Following rollerball endometrial ablation, many women reported improvement in cyclical pelvic pain (73%), pre-menstrual symptoms (65%), ability to do housework (85%), and an improved sexual life (96%). Seventy-nine (99%) women were able to return to normal work within 4 weeks following surgery. The majority of them remained satisfied with treatment (79%) and they would recommend it to a friend (91%).


CONCLUSIONS
Rollerball endometrial ablation is a simple, effective, and acceptable procedure for the treatment of menorrhagia in selected cases. Longer-term follow up is still needed to establish the ultimate effectiveness of the procedure.
el Senoun
G S
GS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Forth Park Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Mousa
H A
HA
Mahmood
T A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003613:Danazol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D017273:Goserelin; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D003613:Danazol