title: Outcome of the first 220 cases of endometrial balloon ablation using Cavaterm plus.
abstract: The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of day-case Cavaterm plus thermal balloon endometrial ablation in the treatment of therapy-resistant menorrhagia. The study included 220 patients with a mean age of 41 years, mean parity of 2.1 and mean duration of menorrhagia of 3.2 years. A 6-mm diameter Cavaterm plus catheter with a silicone balloon at its tip was used. The ablation time was 10 minutes at a temperature of 78 degrees C. No procedure-related operative or immediate postoperative complications were encountered. The mean follow-up period was 19 months (range 6-24 months). The amenorrhoea-hypomenorrhoea rates at the various follow-up periods ranged between 74% and 83%. At the end of follow-up, 83% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. We conclude that Cavaterm plus is a safe and effective treatment for menorrhagia and has good patient acceptability.
authors.affiliation: Bromley Hospitals N.H.S Trust, The Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: El-Toukhy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandakas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grigoriadis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome