Blind versus visual endometrial ablation: a randomised controlled trial

ISRCTN ISRCTN43442156
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN43442156
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
14/06/2010
Registration date
29/07/2010
Last edited
04/07/2016
Recruitment status
Stopped
Overall study status
Stopped
Condition category
Urological and Genital Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Kevin Cooper
Scientific

Ward 42
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZN
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designDouble-blind randomised active-controlled parallel-group trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titlePatient satisfaction, menstrual outcome and costs following blind versus visual second-generation ablation for the treatment of menorrhagia: a randomised controlled trial
Study objectivesCurrent study hypothesis as of 13/10/2011:
The aim of the study is to compare visual endometrial ablation (Hydrotheramablator) with blind endometrial ablation (Thermal balloon or Novasure Bipolar array) under general or local anaesthesia in the postmenstrual phase in an adequately powered, double-blind, prospective randomised controlled trial. Pre-operative data, 1-year and 5-year data will be taken.

Previous study hypothesis:
The aim of the study is to compare Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) with Microwave Endometrial Ablation (MEA) under general or local anaesthesia in the postmenstrual phase in an adequately powered, double-blind, prospective randomised controlled trial. Pre-operative data, 1-year and 5-year data will be taken.
Ethics approval(s)NHS Grampian Ethics Committee –- approval pending
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedWomen's health - reproductive disease
InterventionPatients will be randomised in a 1:1 basis to either blind or visual endometrial ablation performed under local or general anaesthesia in the immediate post-menstrual phase. Patients can choose their anaesthetic and will have their lining prepared by a medically induced withdrawal bleed. HTA , Thermachoice and Novasure are all NICE-approved methods of endometrial ablation and will be used within their CE mark. The duration of follow-up will be 1 year in the short term, with a follow up at 5 and 10 years to assess long-term outcomes.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measurePatient satisfaction with each technique, measured using a six-point Likert scale post-operatively and at 6 and 12 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. Comparison of operative details, e.g.
1.1. Times
1.2. Difficulties
1.3. Numbers needing general anaesthetic
1.4. Acceptability of treatment measured using a six-point Likert scale post-operatively and at 6 and 12 months
1.5. Operative pain assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire
2. Menstrual outcome
2.1. Menstrual Bleeding and Pain Scores assessed with standardised local bleeding/pain scores (0-50) and follow-up Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBLAC) scores, at baseline, 6 and 12 months
2.2. Number of women having no periods after each procedure
3. Quality of life, measured by SF-12
4. Health service costs of Microwave Endometrial Ablation to Hydro ThermAblator ablation under general or local anaesthesia performed in the post-menstrual phase
5. Complication rates
Follow up at 5 and 10 years will assess long-term outcomes.
Overall study start date10/01/2012
Completion date10/01/2017
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)Lack of funding/sponsorship

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexFemale
Target number of participants220
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients eligible for endometrial ablation and be willing to be randomised to either treatment
2. Normal endometrial biopsy results
3. Uterine cavity less than 12 cm
4. Completed their family, use reliable contraception and otherwise be acceptant of hysterectomy
5. A pre-operative ultrasound scan must confirm they are suitable for either MEA or HTA
6. Pre-operative data, 1-year and 5-year data will be taken
Key exclusion criteria1. Desire for further family
2. Abnormal endometrial pathology
3. Uterine cavity > 12 cm
4. Normal or light periods
5. Previous classical caesarean section/myomectomy/hysterotomy
6. Previous caesarean section scar less than 10 mm
7. Acute uterine infection
Date of first enrolment10/01/2012
Date of final enrolment10/01/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZN
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

NHS Grampian Endowments (UK)
Government

NHS Grampian Endowments
Research & Development Department
Foresterhill House Annexe
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZB
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)131 244 2246
Email abc@email.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00ma0mg56

Funders

Funder type

Government

NHS Endowments. An application for Health Technologies Agency (HTA) funding is in progress

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

04/07/2016: This trial did not take place due to lack of funding.

13/10/2011: amendments were made to the trial record due to MEA being discontinued as a technology after being bought out by Hologic:
1. The public and scientific titles were updated. The original titles were 'Hydrothermablator Endometrial Ablation versus Microwave Endometrial Ablation Trial: A trial comparing two methods of treating heavy periods to each other' and 'Hydrothermablator Endometrial Ablation versus Microwave Endometrial Ablation Trial: A randomised comparison of treatment in the postmenstrual phase, clinical outcomes, patient acceptability +/- and costs', respectively.
2. The target number of participants field was updated. The original target number of participants was 200.
3. The overall trial start and end dates were updated. The original dates were 01/08/2010 and 01/08/2012, respectively.
4. The sources of funding field was updated. The original text was 'Chief Scientist Office (CSO) (UK) - Scottish Health Executive' (application for research grant in progress)'.