Long-term follow-up of endometrial ablation

Study Objective. To assess long-term outcome of endometrial ablation for treatment of menorrhagia. Design. Five-year, prospective longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Setting University teaching hospital. Patients. The first 301 women in a continuing series of over 550 patients undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. Intervention. Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. Measurements and Main Results. Patients were followed at regular intervals for 24 to 60 months (mean 28 mo). Outcomes were reported in terms of control of menstrual blood loss and menstrual pain with respect to normal uterus, fibroid uterus, dysmenorrhea, and patient age. Conclusion. Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is effective for relief of menorrhagia and associated dysmenorrhea in selected patients. Success may decline with increasing length of follow-up.