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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Patient satisfaction with thermal balloon ablation for treatment of menorrhagia
Danielle Hazard1, Gerald Harkins
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. dhazard@psu.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether satisfaction in women who have undergone the thermal balloon ablation (TBA) procedure for menorrhagia at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is consistent with initial published studies.
Study Design:
Two hundred sixteen patients were mailed a survey regarding patient satisfaction, postoperative bleeding patterns, and need for additional surgery. The follow-up interval was 13-60 months.
Results:
The survey response rate was 88%. Eighty-nine percent of women were satisfied with the results of their procedure. After 3-5 years, 37% of women reported amenorrhea and 44% reported minimal/light bleeding. Only 9% of women eventually required hysterectomy.
Conclusion:
This study confirms a patient satisfaction rate in our institution that is consistent with initial published studies.