Trichloroacetic acid for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding: a pilot prospective clinical trial

Abstract

The aim of the trial was to assess the safety and efficacy of tricholoroacetic acid for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding using topical versus intrauterine instillation. In a pilot prospective randomized clinical trial, seventy women were randomly allocated to one of two groups. In Group I, the patients were subjected to intrauterine instillation of 95% tricholoroacetic acid. Group II underwent dilatation and curettage before topical application of 95% tricholoroacetic acid. The groups were similar regarding baseline clinical characteristics. There was a satisfactory clinical reduction of menstrual flow (amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea and eumenorrhea) at a rate of 97.1% (Group I) and 85.7% (Group II) at 6 months. A significant increase was observed in the mean haemoglobin value at 3 and 6 months in both treatment groups (P<0.05). Group I showed a significant increase in haemoglobin level compared to Group II (P<0.05) and a significant reduction of the endometrial thickness compared to Group II (2.21 ± 0.41 versus 3.03 ± 3.37). Trichloroacetic acid use for treating dysfunctional uterine bleeding seems to be efficient and safe, especially in women who do not require conception. Trichloroacetic acid intrauterine instillation is associated with longer duration of reduced menstrual bleeding than topical application.