title: Factors affecting the outcome of endometrial ablation using Cavaterm plus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study treatment outcome using the modified technique: Cavaterm plus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective postal questionnaire, in a large teaching hospital. One hundred and twenty-eight women with menorrhagia were treated between February 2001 and April 2003. Data were collected prospectively for the duration of the procedure and alternatives offered. Follow up questionnaire was distributed during November 2003 to assess menstrual status. Multiple binary logistic regression was performed to assess factors influencing success.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow up was 72 weeks, 103 patients (80.5%) completed the questionnaire. In 26 (25.2%) cases, there were one or more important deviations from recommended procedure. Twenty (19.4%) women had procedure-related amenorrhoea, 6 (5.8%) had spotting, 35 (34%) had light, and 26 (25.2%) had moderate bleeding. Eleven (10.7%) had a hysterectomy. The risk of failure was inversely related to age (OR 0.778, 95% CI 0.669-0.905), was higher in women who prior to surgery had longer duration of bleeding (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.1-1.52), and when recommended selection or operative procedures were not followed (OR 5.056, 95% CI 1.097-23.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cavaterm plus is associated with high patient satisfaction. The technique remains a good choice for women wishing to avoid hysterectomy, but there is a need to observe determinants of poor outcome.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Julian
authors.forename: Marwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habiba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000601:surgery; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome