A medical procedure that is used to remove, ablate or destroy the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Most often employed for excessive or prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle in individuals who cannot or do not wish to undergo a hysterectomy.
Commonly performed on an outpatient basis.
Placenta accreta may occur after endometrial ablation.
A number of systems are utilized to ablate the lining of the uterus including heated saline, application of electrical energy to thermally damage the endometrium, a heated fluid contained balloon, and laser therapy.
Local, spinal or general anesthesia can be used, and recovery period can be from one day up to 2 weeks.
After the procedure, the endometrium heals by scarring, reducing or removing the possibility of future uterine bleeding.
Hormonal functioning is preserved with the development of amenorrhea or reduced menstrual bleeding in approximately 90% of patients undergoing this procedure.
Approximately 45% develop amenorrhea.
Approximately 22% of patients will require hysterectomy.
Rare complications include: uterine perforation, and damage to tissues deeper than the lining endometrium.