[Endometrial thermocoagulation via balloon: technique, mechanism of action, and evaluation]

Thermal balloon endometrial ablation is indicated for women suffering from menorrhagia. This easy technique can be performed safely, without using operative hysteroscopy. The rate of minor complications is low (< 4%). Thermotherapy treats the endometrium and superficial myometrium tissues without risk of injury to the bladder and bowels. The success rate of this operation is 90% in selected patients of studies published between 1996 and 1998, with a follow-up period of 12-24 months. However, long-term randomized controlled studies are needed to compare thermotherapy and other endometrial ablation procedures.