HYSTERECTOMY AND ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, 1981 TO 1994-1995

This study analyses the New South Wales hospital data on hysterectomie s from 1981 to 1994-1995. and on endometrial ablations since 1991. The hysterectomy rate declined by about 16% during 1981-1991 and has rise n since. the endometrial ablation rate has increased by 28% between 19 91 and 1994-1995. Other findings indicate a trend towards older mean a ge at operation. a swing to vaginal hysterectomy with or without lapar oscopy, a shift to private hospitals, and a dramatic decline in length of hospital stay. The majority of endometrial ablations were performe d on a day-only basis. Immigrant and Aboriginal women experienced lowe r hysterectomy rates. Endometrial ablation techniques introduced in th e late 1980s, as an alternative to hysterectomy for dysfunctional uter ine bleeding. have had a major impact on hysterectomy rates; without t hese techniques the rates would be much higher.