Thermal balloon ablation versus transcervical endometrial resection: evaluation of postoperative pelvic pain in women treated for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate postoperative pain after mini-invasive surgical treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) with transcervical endometrial resection or thermal ablation balloon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal observational study, analyzing 47 women affected by DUB who underwent endometrial ablation was conducted. The authors collected evaluation of pelvic pain at one and four hours after intervention and the individual necessity of analgesics. After 30 days, all patients underwent a gynecological visit to evaluate postoperative outcome.

RESULTS: Pelvic pain was higher one and four hours after procedure in thermal balloon ablation group, and patients in the same group required more analgesic rescue dose. There were no complications such as uterine perforation, heavy blood loss or thermal injuries with both the procedures.

CONCLUSION: Thermal balloon ablation appears a more painful procedure than endometrial resection, both in the immediate postsurgical time and 30 days after surgery. Ad hoc anaesthesiologic and analgesic protocol should be adopted to ensure quick recovery and good acceptance of the procedure.