Emergency endometrial resection in women with acute, severe uterine bleeding

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endometrial hysteroscopic resection in the treatment of severe uterine bleeding. DESIGN: Pilot feasibility study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Department of gynecology at a general hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-six women with severe uterine bleeding. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopic transcervical endometrial resection under general anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bleeding had a benign organic cause in 25 women. One endometrial carcinoma was detected in endometrial chips in a postmenopausal woman and was managed with hysterectomy. Fifteen cycling women experienced complete remission of uterine bleeding; one underwent hysterectomy during follow-up. Atrophic endometrium was present in nine menopausal women during follow up. CONCLUSION: Endometrial transcervical resection was effective in controlling heavy bleeding, preventing future episodes of severe bleeding, and avoiding further medical or surgical treatment during 19 months of follow-up.     

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.     

A randomized prospective comparative study of general versus epidural anesthesia for transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial resection

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare general versus epidural anesthesia during hysteroscopic endometrial resection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective comparative study, 24 women with abnormal uterine bleeding that was unresponsive to conservative medical management were randomly assigned to undergo hysteroscopic endometrial resection with either general or epidural anesthesia. RESULTS: The durations of the endometrial resection procedure were similar for women who had general and epidural anesthesia (28.3 +/- 4.2 minutes vs 27.5 +/- 5.4 minutes, respectively). However, there was a statistically significantly lower absorption of distention fluid in women who underwent the procedure with general rather than epidural anesthesia (380.8 +/- 158.2 mL vs 648.3 +/- 157.1 mL, respectively; P < .0005). CONCLUSION: A significantly lower amount of glycine distention fluid was absorbed during endometrial resection in women who underwent the procedure with general rather than epidural anesthesia.     

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.     

Reoperative hysteroscopic surgery in the management of patients who fail endometrial ablation and resection

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of reoperative hysteroscopic surgery for women who fail endometrial ablation and resection. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and follow-up (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Private office practice. PATIENTS: Twenty-six women who had undergone endometrial ablation or resection and experienced failure characterized by intolerable pain, bleeding, or asymptomatic hematometra. INTERVENTION: Sonographically guided hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean length of time from initial treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding and reoperative hysteroscopic surgery was 41.2 +/- 47.9 months. Five (19.2%) women required simple dilatation and 21 (80.8%) required endocervical resection to achieve access to the uterine cavity. There were no operative complications. Mean operating time was 20.3 +/- 9.5 minutes. Mean specimen weight was 6.7 +/- 4.9 g. Adenomyosis was present in 15 (57.7%) specimens. Women were followed for a mean of 23.2 +/- 22.7 months. Twenty-three (88.5%) achieved satisfactory results and avoided hysterectomy. Three women (11.5%) eventually required hysterectomy because of recurrent pain or bleeding. CONCLUSION: Reoperative hysteroscopy is useful in managing women after failed endometrial ablation and resection. It produces excellent results in achieving amenorrhea and relief of cyclic pelvic pain, thereby avoiding hysterectomy in most patients.     

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 surgery does not adversely affect the long-term prognosis of women with endometrial adenocarcinoma

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of hysteroscopic surgery on the long-term clinical outcome of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: From January 1990 through December 2005, the principal author (GAV) performed primary hysteroscopic surgery in 3401 women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Among these women, there were 16 occult and 3 known endometrial cancers. INTERVENTIONS: All women underwent hysteroscopic evaluation and partial (n = 8) or complete (n = 11) rollerball electrocoagulation and/or endomyometrial resection. After diagnosis of endometrial malignancy, women were counseled regarding their disease and management, in accordance with established clinical practice guidelines. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 14 years and was conducted by office visits and telephone interviews. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 3401 women, there were 19 women with endometrial adenocarcinoma, 3 of whom were known to harbor cancer before hysteroscopic surgery. One woman refused hysterectomy and remains alive and well 5 years after total hysteroscopic endomyometrial resection. Two women wished to maintain fertility; 1 consented to hysterectomy after incomplete resection of her lesion. The other was treated with progestins. Her cancer reverted to complex hyperplasia, and she requested hysterectomy 4 years later. No residual cancer was found. After 5 years of follow-up, 1 patient died from carcinoma of the gallbladder (2 years), and 2 died at 4 years; 1 at the age of 87 years of natural causes and the other at the age of 86 years from acute renal failure unrelated to her cancer. Fourteen women remain alive and well at 5 to 14 years of follow-up. Two additional women remain alive and well at 1 and 4 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Resectoscopic surgery did not adversely affect the 5-year survival and the long-term prognosis in 14 women with endometrial cancer.     

Long-term outcome of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation without endometrial preparation

OBJECTIVE: To describe the three-step hysteroscopic endometrial ablation (EA) technique without endometrial preparation, and its long-term outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Four hundred and thirty-eight premenopausal women with menorrhagia or menometrorrhagia underwent three-step hysteroscopic EA, which consists of rollerball ablation of the fundus and cornual regions, a cutting loop endomyometrial resection of the rest of the cavity, and rollerball redessication of the whole pre-ablated uterine cavity. The main outcome measures were menstrual status, level of satisfaction with the procedure, and the need for repeat ablation or hysterectomy. Questionnaires were completed for 385 women (87.9%) with a mean follow-up of 48.2 months. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-four responders (47.8%) reported amenorrhea; 177 (46%) had light to normal flow. One patient (0.3%) underwent repeat ablation and 20 (5.2%) underwent hysterectomy: 15 (3.9%) because of endometrial ablation failure and 5 (1.3%) because of indications unrelated to the ablation (three cases of atypical endometrial hyperplasia and two cases of fibroids). Two hundred and ninety-two patients (75.8%) were very satisfied, and 78 (20.3%) satisfied with the results. No major complications occurred and three women (0.8%) became pregnant during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: EA is safe and effective means of treating of menorrhagia and menometrorrhagia in premenopausal women, and helps avoid hysterectomy in 95% of patients suffering from heavy bleeding, with or without uterine fibroids. Women should be informed that the procedure is not contraceptive and that pregnancy is possible after treatment.     

Long-term results of hysteroscopic myomectomy in 235 patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of transcervical resection of submucous fibroids according to type and size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective follow-up of 235 women with submucous fibroids at outpatient hysteroscopy who underwent a hysteroscopic transcervical resection. The main indications were the abnormal uterine bleeding and fertility problems. Thirty-seven percent of patients had an associated endometrial ablation and 32% had a polyp resection. Fifty-one percent of women were menopausal. In cases of incomplete resection a repeat procedure was offered. RESULTS: Intra-operative complications were rare (2.6%) and there was no major complication. Eighty-four percent of cases were followed-up. The median follow-up was 40 months (range 18-66 months). The procedure was classed as a success in 94.4% of patients. Among the cases that were classed as a failure, four patients had a repeated hysteroscopic procedure, three patients had a subsequent hysterectomy and four patients presented with abnormal uterine bleeding at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The hysteroscopic transcervical resection of submucous fibroids is a safe and highly effective long-term therapy for carefully selected women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and fertility problems. It produces satisfactory long-term results with few complications.     

Endometrial stromal sarcoma diagnosed after hysteroscopic endometrial resection

Endometrial ablation and resection is now common therapy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding that is unresponsive to conservative management. Opponents argue that it may predispose patients to potentially hazardous malignancies of the uterus. In our patient, endometrial resection was performed to treat menorrhagia after a negative workup. Pathologic interpretation of the resected tissue showed a low-grade stromal sarcoma of the endometrium. The woman underwent definitive treatment, which included total abdominal hysterectomy, and has remained recurrence free over the past 3 years. Although rare, uterine malignancies have been documented after hysteroscopic management of menorrhagia. It is suggested that intraoperative endometrial resection or tissue sampling be done to prevent or diagnose endometrial hyperplasia and uterine malignancies.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Dilatation and curettage fails to detect most focal lesions in the uterine cavity in women with postmenopausal bleeding

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of focally growing lesions in the uterine cavity in women with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrium > or = 5 mm and the extent to which such lesions can be correctly diagnosed by D&C. METHODS: In a prospective study, 105 women with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrium > or = 5 mm at transvaginal ultrasound examination underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy, D&C and hysteroscopic resection of any focally growing lesion still left in the uterine cavity after D&C. Twenty-four women also underwent hysterectomy. If the histological diagnosis differed between specimens from the same patient, the most relevant diagnosis was considered the final one. RESULTS: Eighty percent (84/105) of the women had pathology in the uterine cavity, and 98% (82/84) of the pathological lesions manifested a focal growth pattern at hysteroscopy. In 87% of the women with focal lesions in the uterine cavity, the whole or parts of the lesion remained in situ after D&C. D&C missed 58% (25/43) of polyps, 50% (5/10) of hyperplasias, 60% (3/5) of complex atypical hyperplasias, and 11% (2/19) of endometrial cancers. The agreement between the D&C diagnosis and the final diagnosis was excellent (94%) in women without focally growing lesions at hysteroscopy. CONCLUSION: If there are focal lesions in the uterine cavity, hysteroscopy with endometrial resection is superior to D&C for obtaining a representative endometrial sample in women with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrium > or = 5 mm.     

Risk of discovering endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia during hysteroscopic surgery in postmenopausal women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of diagnosing endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia in tissue resected during hysteroscopy performed for intrauterine pathology presumed benign in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A single-center prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Department of Gynecology, La Conception Hospital, Marseille, France. PATIENTS: Three hundred twenty-five women with intrauterine pathology, presumed benign, causing postmenopausal bleeding or bleeding related to hormone replacement therapy. INTERVENTION: All women had an endometrial biopsy after diagnostic hysteroscopy to exclude endometrial carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia. Then they underwent hysteroscopic surgical resection (203, 62.5%) or endometrial ablation (122, 37.5%). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two cases each (0.6%) of endometrial carcinoma and endometrial atypical hyperplasia were discovered that were missed by preoperative evaluations. CONCLUSION: Outpatient hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy do not eliminate the finding of carcinoma or endometrial atypical hyperplasia, as these disorders may be discovered during hysteroscopic surgery.     

Perioperative predictors of successful hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

OBJECTIVE: To determine which perioperative factors influence the success of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation in patients with menorrhagia. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal study of 128 women who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial ablation or resection. Clinical data included age, uterine size, the presence of intramural or submucosal myomas and polyps, and length of follow-up from initial hysteroscopic ablation to re-ablation or hysterectomy ('failure'). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to evaluate the equality of survival distributions and to model the overall effects of the various predictor variables on surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a median time of 44 months. Thirteen women (10.2%) underwent a second operative procedure. Multivariate analysis identified submucosal myoma as a statistically significant positive predictor of the risk of failure [hazard ratio (HR) 5.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.63, 16.73)]. Older age was associated with a marginally lower risk of subsequent surgery (HR 0.90 per additional year of age, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of submucosal myoma increases the risk of subsequent surgery in patients undergoing endometrial ablation.     

Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation versus hysteroscopic endometrial resection to treat menorrhagia: the French, multicenter, randomized study

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of Cavaterm thermal balloon endometrial ablation with hysteroscopic endometrial resection. DESIGN: Multicenter randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Departments of obstetrics and gynecology in French university hospitals. PATIENTS: Fifty-one women with menorrhagia unresponsive to medical treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Women were randomized to thermal destruction of the endometrium or to hysteroscopic endometrial resection. Women completed preoperative, 6-, and 12-month postoperative pictorial charts to determine Higham blood loss scores and a satisfaction questionnaire. Operative time, discharge time, complication rate, and resumption of normal activities were evaluated for each group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Amenorrhea rates were 36% (95% CI 19%-56%) and 29% (95% CI 8%-51%) in the Cavaterm and the endometrial resection groups at 12 months, respectively (ns). Both treatments significantly reduced uterine bleeding. The median decrease in Higham score at 12 months was significantly higher in women treated by Cavaterm (377, range 108-1300) than in women treated by resection (255, range -82 to 555) (p=.006). A subsequent hysterectomy for recurrent bleeding was performed in 2 women, both previously treated by resection. The rate of women reporting good or excellent satisfaction was 89% (95% CI 72%-98%) in the Cavaterm group and 79% (95% CI 54%-94%) in the resection group at 12 months. Discharge time was significantly lower in women treated by Cavaterm, although postoperative pain at 1 hour was higher. There were no major complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Cavaterm thermal balloon ablation was as effective as hysteroscopic endometrial resection to treat menorrhagia, both resulting in a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss and high patient satisfaction.     

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.     

Resectoscopic surgery in 10 women with abnormal uterine bleeding and atypical endometrial hyperplasia

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the resectoscope in the diagnosis and treatment of women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia. DESIGN: Retrospective case series (Canadian Task Force classification III-3). SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Ten women. Intervention. Hysteroscopic evaluation after preoperative endometrial biopsy indicated simple hyperplasia without atypia, complex hyperplasia with atypia, or inadequate specimen. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Atypical hyperplasia was confirmed in eight patients after total endomyometrial resection. Hysterectomy was offered to all patients but accepted by only two: one for bilateral ovarian serous cystadenomas and the second for a granulosa cell ovarian tumor. No residual endometrium was found in hysterectomy specimens. Seven women were amenorrheic and well 1 to 9 years after resection. An additional patient with amenorrhea died from colon cancer 2 years after resection. CONCLUSION: Resectoscopic surgery confirmed or detected atypical endometrial hyperplasia in eight women and excluded it in two patients with AUB and a previous diagnosis of simple hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, or inadequate specimen. Skillful resectoscopic surgery may be an alternative to hysterectomy in selected patients with atypical hyperplasia who are compliant with regular and long-term follow-up.