Five-Year Follow-Up After Comparing Bipolar Endometrial Ablation With Hydrothermablation for Menorrhagia

Abstract

II.

An Observational Study on the Long Term Follow-up Following Thermablate and NovaSure Endometrial Ablations

“…In this study, the high rate of amenorrhea with the Novasure system is consistent with previous studies compared to the Thermablate group [4,[7][8][9]. Although if we stated that the combined symptoms of amenorrhea and a lighter menstrual period concluded a satisfied patient, the two groups had comparable rate.…”

“…They found at 12-month follow up there was a higher rate of amenorrhea in those who had had bipolar radiofrequency or microwave ablation compared to thermal ablation but there was no convincing evidence between the three techniques in the number of women who were dissatisfied or still experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 65 women, Penninx et al [7] explored the 5-year outcomes following bipolar radiofrequency impedance-controlled ablation (NovaSure) and hydrothermablation (Hydro Thermablator System) [7]. As compared to our study, the amenorrhea rate is similar at 63.4% and theirs at 55% for Novasure and 28.6% and 35.4% for thermal ablation.…”

“…Although if we stated that the combined symptoms of amenorrhea and a lighter menstrual period concluded a satisfied patient, the two groups had comparable rate. In most studies, amenorrhea is considered a successful primary outcome but another important outcome to consider is the subsequent re-intervention rate [7,8]. This has implications on women's morbidity and mortality who require further intervention to control their symptoms.…”

“…The literature suggests that both methods work well to produce amenorrhea and lighter periods and can successfully reduce the need for a hysterectomy, however radiofrequency ablation produces a higher rate of amenorrhea as compared to thermal ablation [4,7]. However, repeat treatment or surgery is more likely after endometrial ablation in general as compared to hysterectomy [8].…”

“…However, repeat treatment or surgery is more likely after endometrial ablation in general as compared to hysterectomy [8]. There are mixed conclusions regarding reintervention and patient satisfaction within the different EA methods which is important as it may result in further distress and treatments [4,7]. In our observational study, we have built a large database of both Thermablate EA and Novasure EA which have been used since 2008 in a tertiary teaching hospital.…”