Thermal Balloon Ablation

Thermal Balloon Ablation was invented to rectify the shortcomings of the first generation of endometrial ablation procedures. Hysteroscopic endometrial resection and ablation proved themselves successful in up to 70-90% of cases of heavy menorrhagia, but the former has at least two disadvantages:

-- the surgeon must have an excellent training in the method, and

-- serious complications may occur. Amongst them are: fluid overload, uterine perforation, infection, haemorrhage, thermal injuries, and even death.

Empirical data show that various ablation techniques, for instance, roller-ball and Nd Yag laser, had the rate of postoperative complication less than 4.4%, which is lower then for the hysteroscopic endometrial resection.

Thermal Balloon Ablation Made a Debut in 1994

In 1994 Neuwirth et al. introduced a thermal uterine balloon therapy system. The results achieved with it are comparable with the hysteroscopic endometrial resection, except that the skills the operator must possess are significantly smaller. The uterine thermal balloon ablation does not require endometrial visualisation, distending solutions, high energy sources, and almost never a cervical dilatation. The rate of postoperative complications for balloon ablation is about 3%, while the operative time is significantly shorter. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia in an outpatient clinic, which means the operative room can be used less.

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