Long-term complications of endometrial ablation: Cause, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

At first, total endometrial ablation seemed extremely safe in the short term. However, as time passed, certain unique long-term complications became evident. The problem is that after this procedure, intrauterine scarring and contracture can occur. Any bleeding from persistent or regenerating endometrium behind the scar may be obstructed and cause problems such as central hematometra, cornual hematometra, postablation tubal sterilization syndrome, retrograde menstruation, and potential delay in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The incidence of these complications is probably understated because most radiologists and pathologists have not been educated about the findings to make the appropriate diagnosis of cornual hematometra and postablation tubal sterilization syndrome. This review will thoroughly discuss how to diagnose and treat these problems. Possible ways of preventing these long-term complications will also be discussed. (C) 2007 AAGL. All rights reserved.