Radiofrequency endometrial ablation with a novel endometrial tip for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and abnormal uterine bleeding: a prospective study

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a radiofrequency ablation system with a novel endometrial tip (RFA-EMT) for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Methods This is a prospective study including a total of 38 premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) that failed to respond to medical therapy. Hysteroscopic evaluation and curettage biopsy were performed just before the procedure. The procedure was timed to occur during the early proliferative phase (cycle days 4–10). RFA-EMT procedures were performed by a single surgeon with the patient under general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway. Primary outcome was reduction in bleeding, reported as amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and eumenorrhea, which were measured via hemoglobin level and pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) score. Secondary outcomes were adverse events, dysmenorrhea with numeric rating scale (NRS) score, and endometrial thickening in the early proliferative phase, as assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography. Results There were no peri- or post-procedural complications. Combined amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and eumenorrhea rates at 3 and 6 months were 97.4% and 100%, respectively. The hemoglobin level was significantly increased, and the PBAC score, NRS score, and endometrial thickening were significantly decreased after 3 months. These trends were maintained for 6 months after the procedure. Conclusion RFA-EMT, a new technique, is safe and effective for women with HMB or AUB for which medical therapy has failed.

Keywords

• abnormal uterine bleeding
• endometrial ablation
• heavy menstrual bleeding
• radiofrequency
• pbac score