Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy for Failed Endometrial Ablation

Background and Objectives: Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure for menorrhagia. High suc-cess rates are documented with 90 % of patients experi-encing satisfaction. However, adequate relief after endo-metrial ablation is not obtained in a cohort of patients. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of patients for whom endometrial ablation fails due to per-sistent symptoms, causing them to choose hysterectomy for definitive treatment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent hysterectomy for persistent men-orrhagia, pain, or both, who previously had endometrial ablation. We reviewed medical records including pathol-ogy reports from hysterectomy. We compared demo-graphics to a group previously studied at our institution that were identified as satisfied 5 years after ablation. Results: The number of patients in our study group was 51 (n 51). Median age of patients was 39 (range 29–50) years. Average body mass index was 31 (range 19–47) kg/m2. Average parity was 1.9. Sixty-nine percent under-went tubal ligation. The majority were nonsmokers (75%). Ninety-six percent were Caucasian. Compared with the previously studied satisfied group, the only statistically significant difference was age. Of 51 patients, 11 (22%) noted pelvic pain as their chief concern. Menorrhagia was the chief concern in 22 (43%). Eighteen patients (35%) complained of both. The most common diagnosis was endometriosis, which was identi