Background: Endometrial ablation (EA) is a less invasive treatment
alternative to hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding, but which
ablation technique works best remains unknown. Objectives: A systematic
review and network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of different
first and second generation EA techniques. Search strategy: A systematic
search of online databases from inception. Selection criteria:
Randomised controlled trials of EA techniques. Data Collection and
Analysis: Primary outcomes (amenorrhoea rate and patient satisfaction
rate at short (up to 12 months), intermediate (between 12 months and 5
years), and long term (5 years or more) follow-up) and secondary
outcomes (re-intervention rate) were compared between first and second
generation EA techniques. Treatment effects of different second
generation EA techniques were compared. Main results: Comparing first
versus second generation EA, there was no significant difference in
amenorrhoea rates at short (OR 1.27, 95%CI 0.83-1.95), intermediate (OR
0.79, 95%CI 0.48-1.30), or long term (OR 1.39, 95%CI 0.94-2.07)
follow-up. This was the same with patient satisfaction rates at short
(OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.53-1.09), intermediate (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.47-1.23),
and long term (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.31-1.51) follow-up. No difference in
re-intervention rates was demonstrated. Highest amenorrhoea rate was
achieved with bipolar radiofrequency, followed by hydrothermablation,
microwave and thermal balloon ablation. Conclusions: Second generation
EA seem to be as effective as first generation techniques in achieving
amenorrhoea, high patient satisfaction and low re-intervention rate.
Bipolar radiofrequency ablation seems to be the best amongst second
generation EA in achieving amenorrhoea. Funding: None Keywords:
‘endometrial ablation’, ‘menorrhagia’, ‘heavy menstrual bleeding’
Clinical outcomes from a randomised comparison of Microwave Endometrial Ablation with Thermal Balloon endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding
