A multicenter evaluation of endometrial ablation by Hydro ThermAblator and rollerball for treatment of menorrhagia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare results of endometrial ablation using the Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) and rollerball.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I).

SETTING

Nine private practice and university centers in the United States.

PATIENTS

Two hundred seventy-six women with menorrhagia due to benign causes.

INTERVENTION

Endometrial ablation with the HTA (187 women) or rollerball (89).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Menstrual diaries were kept for 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Reduction in diary scores to 75 or lower at 12 months was considered a success. For patients treated and followed according to protocol, success rates were 77% for HTA and 82% for rollerball. Amenorrhea rates at 12 months were 40% and 51%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Endometrial ablation with the HTA is safe and effective. It offers an advantage over rollerball ablation of being an office-based procedure, which reduces anesthesia requirements and obviates problems of fluid absorption.