Randomised trial, 1993
Does endometrial resection work as well as hysterectomy for heavy periods?
Endometrial resection was almost as satisfying as hysterectomy, with 84 out of 99 women satisfied versus 89 out of 95 with hysterectomy. However, hysterectomy was better for reducing premenstrual symptoms like painful periods, bloating, and breast tenderness.
What they did
A randomized controlled trial comparing two surgical treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding. One group of 99 women had endometrial resection (removing the uterine lining), and 97 women had abdominal hysterectomy (removing the uterus). Both groups were followed for 4 months after surgery.
What they found
Patient satisfaction was slightly higher after hysterectomy (89 out of 95) than endometrial resection (84 out of 99), a difference of 9 percentage points. Women who had endometrial resection recovered faster, spent less time in hospital, and returned to work and daily activities sooner. However, premenstrual symptoms of painful periods, bloating and breast tenderness were less frequent after hysterectomy. At least 10% of women who had endometrial resection needed further treatment.
What it means for you
Endometrial resection is a less invasive option than hysterectomy with faster recovery, but hysterectomy is more effective at stopping period-related pain and bloating. The main limitation is that this study only followed women for 4 months, so we do not know how well these results last over time.
84 out of 99
Women satisfied with endometrial resection at 4 months
89 out of 95
Women satisfied with hysterectomy at 4 months
9%
Difference in satisfaction between the two treatments
About the study
- Original title
- Randomised controlled trial comparing endometrial resection with abdominal hysterectomy for the surgical treatment of menorrhagia
- Authors
- Dwyer N, Hutton J, Stirrat GM
- Journal
- British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Endometrial resection versus abdominal hysterectomy.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1993.tb15237.x
Topics
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