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Cryoablation Effective For Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Endometrial cryoablation is a safe and effective procedure for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, report researchers in the United States.

The advantages of this procedure over rollerball electroablation are technical ease of performance, direct ultrasonographic view of depth of ablation, need for little anaesthetic and avoidance of potential complications related to distension media, the researchers say.

Dr A J Duleba and colleagues from Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, did this prospective, randomised comparison of the two treatment approaches among 279 women in 10 university and private medical centres in the US.

All of the women had menorrhagia from benign causes. Of the total group, 193 underwent endometrial ablation with a Her Option cryoablation device, and 86 underwent rollerball electroablation.

Each woman maintained a menstrual diary for at least one cycle before, and for 12 months after, the procedure. Success was defined as reduction of menstrual bleeding to a score of 75 or less in the absence of retreatment.

Patients treated with cryoablation received significantly less general anaesthesia (46%) than did those treated by electroablation (92%).

Success rate in the cryoablation group was 77.3% and in the electroablation group was 83.8%, with bleeding declining by 92% in the former (cryoablation) group and by 94% in the latter group.

Both procedures led to significant improvements in a broad range of symptoms, including menses-related pain, mood and overall improvement in quality of life.
J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 2003 Feb;10:1:17-26. "A randomized study comparing endometrial cryoablation and rollerball electroablation for treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding."

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