Modified thermal balloon endometrial ablation in low resource settings: a cost-effective method using Foley's catheter.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of a modified Foley's catheter endometrial ablation in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding in low resource settings.


METHODS
Four hundred and thirty premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding were subjected to thermal balloon endometrial ablation using modified Foley's catheter. The primary outcome measure was patient satisfaction regarding menstrual blood loss. Secondary measures included improvement in quality of life scores and failure rates.


RESULTS
Three hundred and three patients were available for evaluation at 3-year follow up. 270/303 (89.1%) reported their satisfaction as indicated by reduction in days of menstrual flow per cycle (4.2 vs. 8.8 days, p < 0.0001). There was a significant improvement in quality of life scores (p < 0.0001). The rate of failure varies according to the interval of follow up from 15.6% at 6 months to 10.9% at 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Modified Foley's catheter endometrial ablation is a cost effective alternative to other thermal endometrial ablation techniques in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding in low resource settings.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. adelsaadhelal@yahoo.com
Adel Saad
AS
Helal
El-Said
el-S
Abdel-Hady
Abd El-Mageed
Ael-M
Mashaly
Mohamed El
ME
Shafaie
Lotfy
L
Sherif
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D017211:Treatment Failure