Radiofrequency endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding among women at high surgical risk. Issue 2 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fischer, Friederike; Klapdor, Rüdiger; Gruessner, Susanne; Ziert, Yvonne; Hillemanns, Peter; Hertel, Hermann
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 131:Issue 2(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.05.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Objective</title> <p id="sp0005">To evaluate quality of life (QoL) after radiofrequency endometrial ablation (RFEA) for heavy menstrual bleeding among women at high surgical risk.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">An observational study was undertaken among women aged at least 18 years who underwent RFEA at Hanover Medical School, Germany, between June 2010 and November 2012. A validated menorrhagia outcomes questionnaire (MOQ) was used to evaluate QoL and global outcomes among patients at high risk and low risk of complications after major surgery. The high-risk group included women with anemia, coagulopathy, anticoagulation, thromboembolism, transplantation, malignancy, severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, and obesity.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">Overall, 235 women underwent RFEA during the study period. Median follow-up was 13 months (range 3–30). Questionnaire responses were received from 202 (86.0%) women, including 132 (65.3%) high-risk patients. The MOQ total outcome (mean difference 2.0; <italic>P</italic> = 0.166) and QoL/satisfaction (mean difference 0.8; <italic>P</italic> = 0.601) scores were similar in the two groups. Success (i.e. symptom relief and no further surgery) was recorded for 119 (90.2%) patients in the high-risk group and 67 (95.7%) patients in the low-risk group (<italic>P</italic> = 0.155).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Conclusion</title> <p id="sp0020">RFEA improved QoL and achieved a high rate of satisfaction for both high- and low-risk patients. RFEA offers a less invasive alternative to hysterectomy and its associated perioperative risks, particularly among high-risk patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>