Modified Thermal Balloon Ablation in Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Abstract

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding is common problem of reproductive age women. In 1994, new method thermal balloon ablation was introduced to treat women suffering from this devastating condition. Objective: To share our experience about Minimal invasive surgical procedure like modified thermal balloon ablation using Foley's catheter to destroy uterine endometrium in the management of heavy menstrual bleeding. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Allied Hospital affiliated with Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: Two years from 1^st Jan 2019 to 31^st Dec 2020. Methods: Study on 77 women who were treated with modified thermal balloon ablation. Patient satisfaction was assessed by reduction in menstrual flow, duration of amenorrhea, need for hysterectomy after procedure failure and complications observed if any. Results: Overall satisfaction was observed in 67 (87.92%) patients, amenorrhea was observed in 18 (23%) patients, hypomenorrhea was found in 44 (57%) patients, out of all these 5 (6.50%) patients underwent repeat endometrial ablation. While 05 (6.50%) patients ended up in hysterectomy and 5 (6.50%) were lost during follow up. Conclusion: Our work revealed that Modified thermal balloon ablation has good long-term efficacy and considered as an alternative in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, especially for women who have risk factors for surgery and are over 40 years of age.