Endometrial Ablation in the Women's Hospital, HMC, Doha, Qatar. A retrospective cohort

To study the outcome of various methods of endometrial ablation as a treatment of heavy vaginal bleeding, the records and post-operative histories were reviewed of 122 women with a mean age of 47 years who attended the Women's Hospital, Doha, Qatar, between January 2002 and December 2005. Post-operative amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or a normal flow plus a satisfied patient were considered evidence of success; a needforfurther medical or surgical intervention was consideredfailure. Fifty-eight women (47.5%) had Thermachoice Balloon Ablation with a success rate of 83%; 37 (30%) had Microwave Endometrial Ablation (MEA) with 71% success; and27 (22%) had Transcervical Resection of Endometrium (TCRE) with 74% success. Apart from the duration of the procedures there were no statistically significant differences in age, parity, pre-operative haemoglobin and platelets, presence of fibroids, pre-operative endometrial preparation by hormones, or final satisfaction level. It is concluded that Balloon Thermal Ablation, MEA and TCRE are equally effective for the treatment of abnormal vaginal bleeding.