Study objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated endometrial resection.
Design: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).
Setting: University teaching hospital.
Patients: Women with a failed primary endometrial resection.
Intervention: Repeated endometrial resection, roller-ball coagulation, or both.
Measurements and main results: In all, 65 women had a repeated endometrial resection during the period from January 1995 through December 2002. Data were collected from standardized data sheets, hospital records, and the National Patient Registry of the National Board of Health. The primary outcome measurement was subsequent hysterectomy, and secondary, perioperative complications. The median follow-up time was 56 months (range 40-110 months). In all, 28 (43%) women required a hysterectomy eventually. Six (9%) women had operative complications.
Conclusion: Repeat endometrial resection is a relatively safe, minimally invasive operation and approximately 60% of women operated on will avoid hysterectomy. The operation should be performed by an experienced hysteroscopic surgeon.