LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION

Study Objective. To assess long-term outcome of endometrial ablation f or treatment of menorrhagia. Design. Five-year, prospective longitudin al study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Setting University teaching hospital. Patients. The first 301 women in a continuing seri es of over 550 patients undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. Intervention. Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. Measurements and Ma in Results. Patients were followed at regular intervals for 24 to 60 m onths (mean 28 mo). Outcomes were reported in terms oi control of mens trual blood loss and menstrual pain with respect to normal uterus, fib roid uterus, dysmenorrhea, and patient age. Conclusion. Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is effective for relief of menorrhagia and associ ated dysmenorrhea in selected patients. Success may decline with incre asing length of follow-up.