What is Endometrial Ablation?
This is an out-patient surgical procedure used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding.
Who Qualifies?
Anyone who is done with child bearing and has had the necessary work up to rule out other causes for abnormal uterine bleeding qualifies for an endometrial ablation. Such as: - Uterine pre-cancerous or cancerous changes
- Fibroids
- Enlarged uterus
- Pregnancy
Other more common causes of abnormal bleeding such as: - Uterine polyps
- Hormonal effects
- Adenomyosis
- Unknown
All of these can be treated with this new procedure. Your physician may choose to use hormonal methods to pre-treat the endometrial lining of the uterus to "shrink it" up prior to surgery.
What are the benefits?
The procedure is similar to a D&C, an out-patient procedure, which cleans the lining of the uterus. With endometrial ablation the lining of the uterus is burned. "It is similar to putting asphalt on your lawn," says Dr. Baker. "No matter how much water and fertilization (hormonal stimulation) you throw on it, it won’t grow." The procedure takes 20-60 minutes and most patients experience minimal cramps post-operatively. Recovery time is 2-3 hours. Most patients are back to their routine that very evening. The cost savings are 50% less than most hysterectomies. For abnormal uterine bleeding, with no other problems this might be a much better way to go than a hysterectomy for many patients.
Risks and Expectations
It is not a sterilization procedure and other birth control methods are recommended. Frequently a tubal ligation can be done at the same time. A bloody, yellowish discharge may be noted for 3-6 weeks after the procedure. Bleeding after the surgery is variable. Medical literature states: - 65-70% have no periods at all
- 20-25% have slight cyclic spotting 1-2 days each month
- 5% have normal periods with normal 3-5 day flow
- Less than 5% have minimal change in bleeding pattern—these are those who have the fibroids or severe adenomyosis
The procedure does not trigger menopause and patients will still require yearly exams and PAP smears. Risks are minimal. A recent in-house survey of patients undergoing this procedure indicate a better outcome with 90% having no periods at all and 5-8 % with 1-2 days of light spotting each month. They all indicated delight in their expectations of the procedure and most only wished that they had the procedure done sooner. | 
