Radiofrequency Endometrial Ablation or Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Adenomyosis-related Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

The present study aims to compare the efficacy (menstrual blood loss, pain, quality of life) and the safety (complications, recovery) of each conservative intervention (RFA, UAE) versus hysterectomy for the treatment of adenomyosis-related abnormal uterine bleeding, up to 2 years

Adenomyosis is defined by the presence of ectopic non-atypical endometrial glands and stroma within the smooth muscle fibers of the myometrium causing reactive hypertrophy of the uterus. The prevalence of adenomyosis is approximately 20% before 40 years, and probably higher in the following decade. One-third of women with adenomyosis are symptomatic. Symptoms include abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) (40-50%), pelvic pain (dysmenorrhea 15-30%, dyspareunia) and are related to the uniformly enlarged and globular uterus (distension, swelling). Adenomyosis can be diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Symptoms associated with adenomyosis can be treated by hormonal or non-hormonal medications. When medical treatment fails, a hysterectomy is proposed to women who do not consider childbearing. For women who wish to preserve their uterus, two alternatives are possible. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is intended to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus on pre-menopausal women with AUB due to benign causes for whom childbearing is complete. This outpatient procedure is well tolerated, with 10% of post-operative adverse events within one year, mainly not serious like pelvic pain/cramping and vaginal discharge/infection. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is as a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids since 1995. This procedure is also well tolerated, with efficacy and satisfaction rates of 85% at 2 years, performed usually as a day case or with a short hospital stay of 12-24h to manage immediate post-operative pain. Therefore the extension of the indications of both techniques in AUB associated with adenomyosis should be questioned. The present study aims to compare the efficacy (menstrual blood loss, pain, quality of life) and the safety (complications, recovery) of each conservative intervention (RFA, UAE) versus hysterectomy for the treatment of adenomyosis-related abnormal uterine bleeding, up to 2 years