Atypical complex endometrial hyperplasia treated with the GyneLase system

A 47-year-old premenopausal, para 1, gravida 1 woman complained of menometrorrhagia. She had no risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia or cancer, and office endometrial biopsy indicated focal, nonatypical endometrial hyperplasia. Seven months later the patient was scheduled for hysteroscopic endometrial resection. Instead she was treated by hysteroscopy, curettage, and the GyneLase system. The curetting indicated atypical, complex endometrial hyperplasia. The woman refused hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy and adjunctive therapy with progesterone. She agreed to close surveillance and further treatment if she had any vaginal bleeding. At 13 months she remains amenorrheic, the endometrial echo is 2 mm, and follicle-stimulating hormone level is 63 IU/L. Based on the patient's amenorrhea and ultrasound uterine measurement, it is tempting to assume that GyneLase treatment may have cured her atypical hyperplasia. However, at this time, we have no evidence to substantiate this assumption.     

Hysterectomy following failed endometrial resection.

Of the first 500 women in Oxford to undergo transcervical resection of the endometrium, 101 (20%) have subsequently undergone hysterectomy. This study was undertaken to assess the reasons for failure of endometrial resection. An audit of the case notes of the 101 women requiring hysterectomy was performed. Data collection included the patient's age, weight, parity, reasons for endometrial resection, details of the endometrial resection, reasons for hysterectomy, hysterectomy findings and uterine histology. Six (6%) hysterectomies were performed as emergency operations during endometrial resection, 33 (33%) were performed for persistent menorrhagia, 39 (39%) for recurrent menorrhagia and in 18 women (18%) for pelvic pain. The duration of success following endometrial resection ranged from 0 to 21 months. Hysterectomy was significantly more common in older women under 40 years of age, in the presence of an enlarged fibroid uterus, when complications at endometrial resection had occurred and in women operated on by relatively inexperienced surgeons. Endometrium ws present in 96% of hysterectomy specimens. Uterine malignancy that had not been diagnosed at transcervical resection of the endometrium was present at hysterectomy in two women. Hysterectomy should be considered in preference to endometrial resection for treatment of menorrhagia in women who are less than 40 years old and in the presence of large intramural fibroids.     

Long-term outcome of hysteroscopic endometrial resection with or without myomectomy in patients with menorrhagia

Objectives  To evaluate the long-term outcomes and hysterectomy rates after hysteroscopic endometrial resection with or without myomectomy for menorrhagia. Study design  Fifty-three women who had submucous myomas with intramural extension of less than 50% and smaller than 5 cm in diameter underwent endometrial resection and concomitant hysteroscopic myomectomy. Each of them was matched with a patient who had no submucous myomas and who had been treated by endometrial resection only. These two groups were compared for operative outcomes, additional procedures, outcome of menstrual bleeding and for subsequent hysterectomy, which was the endpoint of this study. Results  During the mean follow-up period of 6.5 years, 18 (34.6%) women with endometrial resection and myomectomy and 21 (39.6%) without myomectomy underwent at least one gynecological procedure. Hysterectomy was performed in 26.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8–40.3] of the patients with myomectomy and in 17.0% (95% CI 9.2–29.2) of the patients without myomectomy (P = 0.22). The main indications for hysterectomy were pain and spotting bleeding in seven out of 14 cases with myomectomy and in four out of nine with endometrial resection only. Leiomyomas were found in 12 out of the 14 women who had hysterectomy after hysteroscopic myomectomy and in four out of nine with hysterectomy after endometrial resection only (P = 0.06). Most (75.6%) of the 82 women who had not required hysterectomy had reached menopause. All the patients without hysterectomy in both groups reported amenorrhea or slight bleeding, and this response maintained for years after the treatment. Conclusion  Endometrial resection may be combined with hysteroscopic myomectomy without a significant increase or decrease in hysterectomy rates during a long-term follow-up.     

Endometrial resection following levonorgestrel intrauterine system treatment for menorrhagia

The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes and hysterectomy rates after hysteroscopic endometrial resection among women following use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for menorrhagia and among women never using this. Forty-five women who had used LNG-IUS for treatment of menorrhagia underwent endometrial resection. Each of them was matched with a patient who had never used LNG-IUS and who had been treated by endometrial resection for menorrhagia (control group). These two groups were compared for operative outcomes, additional procedures, outcome of menstrual bleeding, and for subsequent hysterectomy, which was the endpoint of this study. During the mean follow-up period of 5.8 years, 19 (44%) women undergoing endometrial resection following LNG-IUS and 14 (31%) with endometrial resection and without use of LNG-IUS underwent at least one gynecological procedure. Hysterectomy was performed in 14 (33%) women who had used LNG-IUS and in seven (16%) in the control group (p = 0.05). The main indications for hysterectomy were pain and enlarged uterus; leiomyomas and/or adenomyosis were found in specimens of the uterus extirpated, except for two cases with hematometra in both groups. Patients not hysterectomized reported amenorrhea or slight bleeding, and this response persisted for years after the treatment. In conclusion, two of three women avoided hysterectomy when endometrial resection followed LNG-IUS although hysterectomy rate was higher than those who had never used the device. Hysteroscopic surgery may be considered as an alternative to hysterectomy after discontinuation of LNG-IUS for menorrhagia.     

Endometrial stromal sarcoma: objective response to letrozole

BACKGROUND: Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is generally an indolent tumor rich in estrogen and progesterone receptors. Objective responses to hormonal therapy, most commonly with megestrol acetate, have been reported. CASE: The patient is a 51-year-old woman who presented with low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma confined to the uterus in 1991 and was treated with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Approximately 5 years later, the patient had recurrent pelvic disease treated with radiation therapy, followed by an attempt at resection. She was treated with megestrol acetate during the period she received radiation therapy with poor tolerance. Tamoxifen was then given with no tumor response. Megestrol acetate was restarted with progression of disease in the pelvis and abdomen. Letrozole was then given at a daily dose of 2.5 mg with partial response for a duration of 9 months. CONCLUSION: Letrozole at a daily dose of 2.5 mg may be effective in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with positive estrogen receptors.     

Resectoscopic surgery may be an alternative to hysterectomy in high-risk women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Endometrial hyperplasia is found in 2% to 10% of women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Up to 43% of patients with cytologic atypia harbor coexisting adenocarcinoma, and approximately 20% to 52% of atypical hyperplasias, if untreated, progress to cancer. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of atypical endometrial hyperplasia encountered during routine resectoscopic surgery in women with AUB and to evaluate the role of resectoscopic surgery in the management of women with AUB and atypical endometrial hyperplasia who refused and/or were at high risk for hysterectomy. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: From January 1990 through December 2005, the senior author (GAV) performed primary resectoscopic surgery in 3401 women with AUB. Among these, there were 22 women with atypical (17 complex, 5 simple) endometrial hyperplasia. INTERVENTIONS: All women underwent hysteroscopic evaluation and partial (n = 3) or complete (n = 19) endometrial electrocoagulation and/or resection. Subsequently, 6 women had hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median (range) for age, parity, and body mass index were 55 years (24-78 years), 2 (0-4), and 30.1 kg/m2 (22.5-52.2 kg/m2), respectively. Among the 3401 women, there were 22 cases of atypical endometrial hyperplasia, 12 of which were incidentally diagnosed at the time of hysteroscopy (complex 10, simple 2, incidence 0.35%). After hysteroscopic diagnosis or confirmation of diagnosis, 6 women underwent hysterectomy and BSO. Of the remaining 16 women, followed for a median of 5 years (range 1.5-12 years), 1 was lost to follow-up, 1 had only a biopsy to preserve fertility, 1 died from lung cancer after 4 years, and 1 died from colon cancer after 5 years. One patient developed endometrial cancer after 10.5 years with postmenopausal bleeding. She remains alive and well 3.5 years after hysterectomy and BSO. The remaining 11 patients are amenorrheic at a median follow-up of 6 years (range 1.5-12 years). CONCLUSIONS: Resectoscopic surgery in 3391 women with AUB detected 12 incidental cases of atypical endometrial hyperplasia (incidence 0.35%). Skillful resectoscopic surgery may be an alternative to hysterectomy in women with AUB and atypical endometrial hyperplasia, who refuse or are at high-risk for hysterectomy and who are compliant with regular and long-term follow-up.     

Hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps: a study of 195 cases

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the therapeutic efficiency of hysteroscopic resection for the treatment of endometrial polyps in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and postmenopausal metrorrhagia. SETTING: University hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive patient follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1997, 195 patients with haemorrhagic endometrial polyps were treated with hysteroscopic resection in our department. RESULTS: Five complications occurred, but no major complications were noted. A total of 89.2% of the patients remained in contact after hospitalization. After long term follow-up (5.2 years), successful results were obtained in 80% of the patients with polyp resection without associated endometrial ablation. Further surgery (hysterectomy) was required in only five women. CONCLUSION: Transcervical resection is the gold standard for treatment of endometrial polyps.     

Outcomes after rollerball endometrial ablation for menorrhagia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of women undergoing rollerball endometrial ablation for menorrhagia and to identify factors associated with those outcomes. METHODS: Data on the clinical history, operative technique, and follow-up status as of August 1998 were obtained by retrospective medical record review for 240 women undergoing rollerball endometrial ablation with or without resection of polyps or myomas from January 1991 through December 1996. The incidence of subsequent hysterectomy was calculated by survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the predictors of success or failure of the procedure. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 31.2 months. Twenty-nine women (31% of the available subjects) who had not undergone hysterectomy were still being monitored 5 years after the rollerball endometrial ablation. Overall, the probability of no hysterectomy in the first 5 years was 71%. Ablation was repeated in 10 patients, six of whom eventually underwent hysterectomy. Multivariate analysis identified previous tubal ligation as a statistically significant positive predictor of the risk of hysterectomy (hazard ratio 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18, 4.09). Women at least 45 years old had a lower risk of subsequent hysterectomy than those younger than 35 years of age (hazard ratio 0.28, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.75). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of rollerball endometrial ablation for the treatment of menorrhagia for a longer duration of follow-up than in most previous reports. Repeated ablation and a younger age at the time of ablation increase the risk of requiring a subsequent hysterectomy.     

Scar recurrence of uterine sarcoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Uterine leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive tumor that has a propensity for recurrence. Most of the recurrences occur at either pelvic or distant sites, such as lung or liver. Recurrences in the laparotomy scar are extremely rare. CASE: A 52-year-old woman underwent hysterectomy for stage I, grade 2 uterine leiomyosarcoma. She did not receive any adjuvant treatment. She presented 2 years later with wound recurrence. She had no evidence of intraabdominal disease. She underwent radical resection with mesh repair. Pathology revealed high grade spindle cell sarcoma very similar to the previous cancer. After completion of 18 months of follow-up, she was disease free. CONCLUSION: Radical resection of isolated metastases may be of benefit for these patients.     

Hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection of three uterine sarcomas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with three uterine sarcomas associated with hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. DESIGN: Cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Three of 2402 women undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial ablation who had uterine sarcomas. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and two carcinosarcomas were resected. After hysterectomy in two patients, no residual cancer was identified in one of them. The third patient was an 82-year-old woman with moderate menorrhagia who refused hysterectomy. After endomyometrial resection she remained amenorrheic for the last 14 months of her life. CONCLUSION: From our experience the incidence of uterine sarcomas is approximately 1/800 women undergoing hysteroscopic ablation for abnormal uterine bleeding. Complete endomyometrial resection is feasible and may be offered as diagnostic and palliative therapy in women at high risk for hysterectomy.     

Intraepithelial G3 adenocarcinoma of the endometrium after tamoxifen treatment

Case report In this paper we describe a case of endometrial carcinoma observed in a post-menopausal patient who was treated with tamoxifen for 5 years after a mastectomy for cancer. She came to our department because of vaginal bleeding 2 years after the end of tamoxifen treatment.Treatment She underwent hysteroscopy and a D and C. A polypoid endometrium completely filled the uterine cavity and was carefully removed by curettage; histology showed a highly undifferentiated neoplasia with a component of serous adenocarcinoma, which was likely to originate from endometrial polyps.Outcome The patient underwent radical hysterectomy, but no residual tumor was found in the uterus or in the tubes, ovary, or pelvic nodes, in spite of its low differentiation grade and high potential aggressiveness, and even though the patient was already symptomatic. Two years after surgery the patient is disease free, which is consistent with the evaluation of the surgical specimen, but unusual in poorly differentiated neoplasms.     

Ten-year follow-up of endometrial ablation

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a ten-year follow-up of a randomized, controlled trial which gives the long-term hysterectomy rate and patient satisfaction rate of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial ablation in the treatment of heavy dysfunctional bleeding. METHODS: There were 120 women enrolled in the study, from June 10, 1993 to August 31, 1995, all requiring endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy dysfunctional bleeding. All patients were offered a clinical examination two years postoperatively. Long-term outcome was assessed by completion of a questionnaire five and ten years after initial treatment. Any new symptomatology and need for further treatment or a hysterectomy was registered. A bleeding index and the patients' satisfaction rate and acceptability of the treatment method were stated. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were treated by endometrial coagulation, and 59 by endometrial resection. No significant difference in the number of hysterectomies or satisfaction rate between the two groups was observed. At a ten-year follow-up, 63% of patients only had one ablation, 11% were treated twice, and 22% had a hysterectomy. Only 3% were lost to follow-up. For the group of patients above 40 years of age, only 17% had a hysterectomy. Since the two-year follow-up only six patients with one hysteroscopic treatment have had further intervention. Ninety-four percent of the women would recommend the treatment to their best female friend. CONCLUSION: The long-term results show that an ablation for heavy dysfunctional bleeding is an excellent treatment. Overall 22% of patients had a hysterectomy. If the patient had no further intervention at the two-year clinical control, there was only a 6% risk of hysterectomy after a period of at least ten years.     

Five-year follow-up of endometrial ablation: endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, controlled trial was performed to compare the patient complication rate, effectiveness, and satisfaction rate of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection in the treatment for heavy dysfunctional bleeding. METHODS: One hundred and twenty women requiring endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy bleeding disorders entered the study. All patients were offered a clinical examination 24 months postoperatively and had a questionnaire by mail 5 years after the initial treatment. The number of complications during and after the operation, re-ablations, and hysterectomies were registered. A bleeding index and the patient satisfaction rate were stated. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were treated by endometrial coagulation, and 59 were treated by endometrial resection. No differences between the two groups were observed concerning fluid absorption, bleeding, perforation, and infection. At the 5-year follow-up, 64% of the patients had only one ablation, 15% were treated twice, 15% had a hysterectomy, and 6% were lost to follow-up. After 5 years, the bleeding index was halved in patients with menses. Seventy-nine percent of the women would recommend the treatment to their best female friend. CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences in the frequency of complications. Only 15% of the women had a hysterectomy after 5 years. No significant difference was observed with respect to bleeding reduction and patient satisfaction in the two groups.     

Long-term impact and risk factors for hysterectomy after hysteroscopic surgery for menorrhagia

The objective of this study was to assess the long-term impact of management and establish the incidence of hysterectomy, and to identify factors predictive of failure of the procedure among women who had undergone hysteroscopic endometrial resection with or without myomectomy for menorrhagia. Clinical history and data on additional treatment and follow-up status were obtained by medical record review and postal questionnaire for 279 women who had undergone hysteroscopic surgery. Follow-up data were available for 259 (93%) cases, and the mean follow-up was 6.0 years. Subsequent hysterectomy was the primary endpoint, and its incidence was calculated by survival analysis. Univariant analysis and Cox regression model were used to identify predictors of failure. Myomas, polyps, adenomyosis, or endometrial hyperplasia were found in 40.9% of hysteroscopic procedures. Perioperative complications occurred in 5.7% and late complications in 7.7%. During the follow-up period, 97 (37.5%) of 259 women underwent at least one gynecological procedure. The incidence of hysterectomy was 23.6% (95% confidence interval: 18.8–29.1%). Positive predictive factors for hysterectomy were long uterine cavity (≥9 cm) and tubal ligation. Most (82.8%) of the 198 women who did not undergo hysterectomy had postoperative oligo- or amenorrhea. Hormone replacement therapy was common (67%) among postmenopausal women after endometrial resection. Hysteroscopic resection of the endometrium and concomitant hysteroscopic resection of fibroids for the treatment of menorrhagia is a suitable alternative to hysterectomy and offers lasting results. A large uterine cavity indicating possible uterine pathology and tubal ligation associated with hematometra increase the risk of hysterectomy.     

Minimal-deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix encountered during hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

A 43-year-old, para 2, gravida 2 woman experienced menorrhagia. She had no risk factors for endometrial neoplasia, and five annual Papanicolaou smears, the last one 3 months earlier, were satisfactory for evaluation and within normal limits. During hysteroscopic endometrial ablation the endometrium appeared normal. The uterine-cervical cavity was normal other than a 1-cm, prominent, vascular, erythematous lesion in the posterior cervical canal, which was resected together with the entire endometrium. Pathology was reported as highly suggestive of a minimal-deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix, and the patient underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy. No residual cancer was found in the surgical specimen and the patient was alive and well 1 year later. Preablation evaluation is not adequate to detect all gynecologic malignancies. Routine resection of all unrecognizable lesions may identify rare tumors such as the one discovered in this woman.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma encountered at the time of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and possible role of treatment of hysteroscopic endometrial resection in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University-affiliated center. PATIENTS: Thirteen women with AUB and eight with postmenopausal bleeding. INTERVENTION: Preablation endometrial office biopsy and hysteroscopic evaluation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Preablation endometrial biopsy was inadequate, inconclusive, or difficult to obtain in these women, and endometrial cancer was found at the time of resectoscopic surgery. Total endomyometrial resection including the tubal ostia was completed in eight women (group 1) and partial resection in five (group 2). Endometrial adenocarcinoma was confirmed histologically in all patients. A small focus of cancer was found in only two women in group 1 after total resection; in one the procedure was performed 9 years earlier and in the other it was completed hastily after absorption of 800 ml of 1.5% glycine irrigation solution. In women in group 2 malignancy was highly suspected and total resection was considered unwise. CONCLUSION: All patients were alive and well 0.5 to 9 years after hysterectomy, with no evidence of recurrent cancer.     

Histopathology and Clinical Outcomes of 151 Women with Postmenopausal Bleeding Treated with Resectoscopic Surgery

Study ObjectiveBecause postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is associated with up to 10% of endometrial neoplasia and office endometrial sampling fails in approximately 10% and is inadequate in 30% of cases, the objective was to determine the role of hysteroscopic endometrial resection (HER) for the diagnosis and treatment of women with PMB.DesignA retrospective cohort.SettingA university-affiliated teaching hospital.PatientsOne hundred fifty-one women with PMB (September 1990–December 2010).InterventionHER in the operating room.Measurements and Main ResultsThe median (range) age and body mass index were 58 (50–87) years and 29 (21–52) kg/m², respectively. Office endometrial biopsy failed in 30 (19.8%), was inadequate in 20 (13.2%), identified nonatypical endometrial hyperplasia (NAH) in 21 (14%), atypical hyperplasia (AH) in 4 (2.6%), and endometrial cancer (EC) in 2 (1.3%) women. HER in 151 women identified 7 new cases of AH (3 from failed/inadequate office biopsy and 4 from NAH) and 9 EC (5 from failed/inadequate office biopsy, 1 from proliferative endometrium, 2 from NAH, and 1 from AH). All 27 women with NAH were treated by HER alone. Of 8 women with AH, 6 were treated with HER and 2 with hysterectomy; no residual endometrium was found in hysterectomy specimens. Of the 11 women with EC, 2 refused hysterectomy and are well 10 and 15 years after HER. Hysterectomy was performed for 9 of 11 EC cases, 2 of 8 AH cases, and 1 for abnormal uterine bleeding. Six women had repeat HER for persistent abnormal uterine bleeding, and 10 were lost to follow-up. At a median follow-up of 11.5 years (range, 7–20 years), 132 (12 hysterectomies + 10 lost) of 151 (87.4%) women were satisfied with no further bleeding.ConclusionIn women with PMB, hysteroscopic endometrial resection concomitantly with resection of intrauterine pathology by experienced surgeons is feasible, safe, and effective for diagnosis in all cases and treatment of the majority of intrauterine pathology including NAH and selected cases of AH and EC.     

Risk of finding an endometrial cancer when atypical hyperplasia was incidentally diagnosed on hysteroscopic resection products

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of discovering an endometrial cancer when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by histologic examination of hysteroscopic resection products. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective monocentric study from January 1994 to January 2001. Seventeen patients with atypical hyperplasia were included. Initial endometrial status was provided by operative hysteroscopy resection products. For all patients, there was no hysteroscopical aspect evocative of adenocarcinoma. Histopathological analysis of the hysterectomy pieces precised the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the 17 hysterectomy pieces, one adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Risk for discovering adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia was diagnosed by operative hysteroscopy resection products was 5.9% (1/17). CONCLUSION: Risk of omitting adenocarcinoma when atypical hyperplasia is discovered by hysteroscopy resection pieces is low.     

Hypertension is associated with an increased risk for hysterectomy: a Danish cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hypertension is a risk factor for hysterectomy, endometrial resection, and myomectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Self-report questionnaires were collected from 81% of 1959 Danish women aged 30 or 40 years selected at random in 1976-1991, in four different cohort studies. Baseline data included standardized information about cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, use of medicine, gynecologic history, social background, and life style factors. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured. The women were followed via central registers to assess the incidence of hysterectomy, endometrial resection, and myomectomy performed for benign diagnoses. Cox regression analyses were used to control for confounding. RESULTS: The average time to follow-up was 15 years, and 135 operations performed for benign diagnoses were identified. Women with a history of hypertension had a double risk of having an operation compared to women without hypertension, independent of confounders. CONCLUSION: Hypertension seems to be a risk factor for hysterectomy performed for benign diagnoses, and thus contributes to women undergoing hysterectomy having an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. It might be relevant to pay increased attention to the blood pressure in candidates for hysterectomy, as optimal antihypertensive treatment could decrease their otherwise increased risk of cardiovascular disease years after hysterectomy.     

Transcervical endometrial resection in women with menorrhagia: long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopic endometrial resection is an innovative and conservative surgical technique considered, very often, as an alternative to hysterectomy. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term efficacy of endometrial resection performed in women with menorrhagia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 111 premenopausal women with menorrhagia, unresponsive to medical treatment, who underwent endometrial resection by resectohysteroscope (electrocautery technique supplied with a fundus rollerball electrode, with corneal areas, and with a 90 degrees loop for intrauterine walls and used with glycine 1% as distending fluid) between 1994 and 1999. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up questionnaires were completed in 106 cases, while 5 cases dropped-out (4.5%). The mean-age at menopause in our subjects was 52.8 years (17.6+/-18.4 months after operation). After 53.2+/-16.4 months, 82 patients (77.4%) showed a normal menstrual pattern or amenorrhea, while failure was recorded in 24 patients (22.6%) and 12/24 patients underwent hysterectomy. Percentage of success in the older population (>49 years) (94%) was significantly higher than in the younger population (70%). The histologic finding of only fibrosis (41.7%) correlated with failure of the technique. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that endometrial resection by resectohysteroscope is an innovative and conservative but not exclusive surgical technique in selected younger women, while in older women endometrial resection nearly always resolves long-term menorrhagia.