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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Endometrial thermal balloon ablation has a beneficial long-term effect on menorrhagia
Sari Ahonkallio1, Hannu Martikainen, Markku Santala
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. sari.ahonkallio@oulu.fi
Background:
More data on the long-term results of thermal balloon endometrial ablation are needed.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study of 190 women who underwent endometrial thermal balloon ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia. The mean follow-up period was 6 years.
Results:
Of the 172 women analysed after exclusion, 28 (16%) had a hysterectomy during follow-up. Women with regular menstrual periods had the best outcome. Some 152 (89%) women filled in a questionnaire concerning their satisfaction with the procedure, and 76% were satisfied. Amenorrhoea was reported by 14% and eumenorrhoea by 54% of the women who completed the questionnaire.
Conclusion:
Endometrial thermal balloon ablation has good long-term efficacy and can be considered an applicable alternative in the treatment of menorrhagia, especially for women who have regular periods and are over 40 years of age.
