title: Endometrial thermal balloon ablation has a beneficial long-term effect on menorrhagia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  More data on the long-term results of thermal balloon endometrial ablation are needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational study of 190 women who underwent endometrial thermal balloon ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia. The mean follow-up period was 6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 172 women analysed after exclusion, 28 (16%) had a hysterectomy during follow-up. Women with regular menstrual periods had the best outcome. Some 152 (89%) women filled in a questionnaire concerning their satisfaction with the procedure, and 76% were satisfied. Amenorrhoea was reported by 14% and eumenorrhoea by 54% of the women who completed the questionnaire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endometrial thermal balloon ablation has good long-term efficacy and can be considered an applicable alternative in the treatment of menorrhagia, especially for women who have regular periods and are over 40 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. sari.ahonkallio@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahonkallio
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martikainen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002404:Catheterization; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires