title: Endometrial ablation with the Cavaterm thermal balloon.
abstract: This prospective observational study evaluates the efficacy and safety of thermal Balloon endometrial ablation using the Cavaterm system for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Seventy-seven women with a mean age of 43 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were treated under general anaesthesia. A 9-mm diameter catheter with a silicone balloon at its tip was inserted transcervically into the uterus and was inflated with sterile 1.5% glycine and connected to a control unit that maintained the temperature of the circulating heated fluid at 75 degrees C, monitored the pressure and terminated the treatment after 15 minutes. There were no intra-operative complications and patients tolerated the treatment well. Satisfaction rates were 90% at both 12 and 24 months. At 24 months 10% of patients had heavy periods, 5% normal periods, 39% light periods and 46% amenorrhoea. Cavaterm balloon ablation seems a safe and effective option for women with menorrhagia. The procedure does not require additional training and expertise in operative hysteroscopy and compares favourably with established techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Conquest Hospital, St Leonards-on-Sea, UK.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Alaily
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Auld
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies