We investigated outcomes of menorrhagic patients observed more than 6months treated with microwave endometrial ablation (MEA), because the longterm outcomes of this modality are still unknown.
We retrospectively examined 127 Japanese women treated at Yamato Municipal Hospital from 2010–2016. Of 127 patients, 42, 60 and 25 had functional menorrhagia, uterine myomas, and adenomyosis, respectively. 12 months after MEA,
menstrual flow declined to <1/2 in 100%, 96% and 82% of functional menorrhagia, myoma, and adenomyosis patients,
respectively. However amenorrhea declined in myoma patients and the percentage of adenomyosis patients with menstrual
flow ≥1/2 increased over time. Eight adenomyosis and six myoma cases recurred; 42.9% recurred after 12 months. MEA may
be less effective for adenomyosis with a thickened myometrium (≥4cm).
MEA is efficacious in controlling menorrhagia. Adenomyosis/myoma patients require preoperative evaluation and
informed consent.
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