Short and long term clinical outcomes following endometrial ablation in women with heavy menstrual bleeding

Short and long term clinical outcomes following endometrial ablation in women with heavy menstrual bleeding. Randomised trials evaluating second generation endometrial ablation techniques are discussed and critically reviewed in this thesis. Patterns of referral, socio-demographic and clinical details, primary care treatment, of women referred with heavy menstrual loss are also considered as are three randomised trials of surgical treatments for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. Microwave endometrial ablation (MEATM) and thermal balloon ablation (TBall) both achieved high levels of satisfaction (-1%, 95% CI (-11, 9)). Microwave had a significantly shorter operating time, reduced usage of anti-emetics and opiate analgesia, increased discharge by six hours and fewer device failures. Comparing MEA™ in the postmenstrual phase to MEA™ following standard drug based endometrial preparation there was no significant difference at five years in menstrual outcomes, health related quality of life, or need for subsequent treatment Ten years following MEATM or transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE), the hysterectomy rate after ten years was significantly different with 17% in the MEATM and 28% in the TCRE arm (95% CI -0.21, -0.13). In conclusion primary care guidelines should be followed whilst establishing patient preference prior to referral to secondary care. Microwave ablation has been shown to be an effective treatment in the short, medium and long-term. It can successfully be performed in an outpatient setting in the post menstrual phase and is acceptable under local anaesthesia.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo