Evaluation of HydroThermAblator and Rollerball Endometrial Ablation for Menorrhagia 3 Years after Treatment

Abstract

Study Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of endometrial ablation using HydroThermAblator (HTA) and rollerball (RB) for treatment of menorrhagia. Design Prospective, randomized, multicenter study (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting Nine private practice and university centers in the United States. Patients Two hundred seventy-six women. Intervention Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation with the HTA (187 women) and RB (89). Measurements and Main Results Bleeding was assessed by pictorial diaries for 12 months, with patient interviews at 24 and 36 month. Amenorrhea rates, reduction of bleeding to normal levels or less, and patient satisfaction were tracked for 36 months, with rates in the HTA group of 53%, 94%, and 98% and in the RB group of 46%, 91%, and 97%, respectively. Conclusion Endometrial ablation with the HTA is a safe, effective, and durable treatment of menorrhagia in a broad patient population. It offers advantages over RB by reducing anesthesia requirements, reducing operating time, and eliminating risks of excessive fluid absorption, and is more easily learned.