Hysterectomy Surgery Safer Than Endometrial Ablation

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH) for women with heavy menstrual bleeding is as safe as endometrial ablation, but much more effective, claims a new study.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom), the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (United Kingdom), and other institutions conducted a randomized controlled trial in 31 hospitals in Scotland that included 660 women younger than 50 years who were referred to a gynecologist for surgical treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), and who were eligible for endometrial ablation.

The patients were randomly allocated to either LASH or second-generation endometrial ablation. The results revealed that 97% of the women allocated to LASH were satisfied with their operation, compared to 87% in the endometrial ablation group. In addition, 69% of the women randomly assigned to LASH were also more likely to have the best possible menorrhagia multi-attribute quality of life scale (MMAS) score (100) than women assigned to endometrial ablation (54%). The study was published on September 12, 2019, in The Lancet.

“This study shows that LASH offers a more effective option than endometrial ablation, without any increased risks,” said lead author consultant gynecologist Professor Kevin Cooper, MD, of the University of Aberdeen. “Most women having this procedure get home within 24 hours and there are no restrictive rules for recovery, unlike traditional hysterectomy. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy offers women another effective surgical choice for this common medical condition.”

Menorrhagia, described as heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding which disrupts a woman's normal activities, is one of the most common complaints in gynecology. Menorrhagia generally lasts for more than a week, requiring women to change their pad or tampon every two hours or less. In addition, women with menorrhagia may also pass large blood clots and experience anemia due to the volume of blood loss. Constant lower abdominal and pelvic pain, tiredness, fatigue, and shortness of breath due to the heavy bleeding are also common.

Related Links:
University of Aberdeen
University of Glasgow
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary