Combination of Laparoscopic Salpingectomy and Endometrial Ablation: A Potentially Underused Procedure

Despite the advantages of a decreased risk of epithelial-cell ovarian cancer and the extremely minimally invasive nature of the procedure, combined salpingectomy and endometrial ablation is a potentially underused procedure in the United States to treat abnormal uterine bleeding and desired sterilization. The lack of utilization of this combined procedure might be based on factors other than clinical considerations, including slow acceptance and adoption of Committee Opinions expressing the value of salpingectomy over sterilization. Committee Opinions and randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of salpingectomy for sterilization and epithelial-cancer risk reduction, and there could be an additional protection against postablation tubal sterilization syndrome. This Commentary discusses the advantages and rationale for consideration of expanding usage of the combined approach.