ArticlesMedical Research Council randomised trial of endometrial resection versus hysterectomy in management of menorrhagia
Introduction
Endometrial ablation with electrosurgery, laser, or other forms of thermal energy has been introduced as a less invasive alternative to hysterectomy in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding of benign aetiology.1 Medical treatment of menorrhagia is often ineffective. Hysterectomy is the most common major surgical procedure among women during their reproductive lives.2
Initial studies of endometrial ablation showed high success rates with substantial alleviation of menstrual symptoms and avoidance of hysterectomy in most patients.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Later, large-scale surveys were less favourable; success rates fell as the number of participating centres increased.9, 10 The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London, for example, reported on more than 10 000 procedures done during an 18-month period.9 The discrepancies in outcome can, to some extent, be explained by differences in patient selection, operator experience, ablative techniques, and length of follow-up.11
Three prospective, randomised trials have compared the short-term outcome of transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE) or laser endometrial ablation with abdominal hysterectomy. All concluded that hysteroscopic surgery is associated with a shorter operating time, fewer operative and postoperative complications, lower analgesic requirements, and faster return to normal activity and work.12, 13, 14 These advantages added up to large financial savings.12, 15 Treatment failure can, however, occur after conservative surgery. Apart from possible adverse physical and psychological effects, initial financial savings could be eroded by a greater use of primary-health-care services and specialist treatment, including further surgery.
Based on our long-term clinical experience of TCRE6 and published data about hysterectomy,16 we carried out a multicentre, randomised, prospective trial to test the hypothesis that the proportion of patients dissatisfied and requiring further gynaecological surgery within 3 years of endoscopic management would be no more than 15% greater than the proportion after hysterectomy.
Section snippets
Selection of patients and randomisation
Women who had symptomatic menorrhagia that required hysterectomy and who fulfiled the entry criteria for the study were invited to participate. Eligible women were aged 30-50; had decided to have no more children; had regular menstrual cycles of between 21 and 35 days, with each period lasting for less than 50% of the cycle; and had documented evidence of normal endometrial histology within the previous 12 months and normal cervical smear within the previous 3 years. Exclusion criteria were:
Results
202 women were recruited to the study, which represented about 25% of all women seen at the main recruiting centre with menorrhagia who required surgery (figure 1). 26 women withdrew after randomisation but before surgery. We were able to contact ten of these patients. Of six who had been assigned TCRE, four had hysterectomy and two had TCRE, whereas three of four assigned hysterectomy chose TCRE and one chose hysterectomy. Follow-up data could not be obtained for a further four women, and,
Discussion
This trial highlights both the advantages and the potential drawbacks of TCRE compared with hysterectomy. The operative time, operative blood loss, complication rate, and recovery are all better with TCRE, although the difference in operating times may have been exaggerated by the experience of the surgeons who carried out TCRE. Although women consistently reported higher rates of satisfaction after hysterectomy, in our study this difference failed to reach statistical significance, even after
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Endometrial ablation
2018, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and GynaecologyCitation Excerpt :While laser endometrial ablation with the Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) was the original hysteroscopic technique [9], cost, prolonged operating time and the emergence of less costly, yet still effective techniques have rendered it obsolete. Radiofrequency electrosurgical techniques performed using a modified urological resectoscope largely superseded laser vaporization in the 1990s, largely because a variety of clinical trials demonstrated patient reported outcomes comparable to those for hysterectomy, but with reduced morbidity and cost [10–16]. The use of medical preparation to thin the endometrium can facilitate the performance and success of REA.
Saignements utérins anormaux chez les femmes préménopausées
2016, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology CanadaOperative hysteroscopy for myoma removal: Morcellation versus bipolar loop resection
2015, Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la ReproductionHysteroscopic morcellation versus bipolar resection for endometrial polyp removal
2015, Gynecologie Obstetrique et FertiliteImpact of Myomas on the Results of Transcervical Resection of the Endometrium
2014, Journal of Minimally Invasive GynecologyOutcomes and problems of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation in a University Hospital
2014, Middle East Fertility Society JournalCitation Excerpt :Hysteroscopically guided or first generation endometrial ablation (EA) methods have been shown to be effective and safe alternatives to hysterectomy for management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). It is associated with quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay, fewer complications and is cost effective compared with hysterectomy (1–3). These methods require particular skills and experience and a long learning curve to be performed effectively and safely (4).