Value of Technology Advancing Healthcare Through Innovative Technologies and Devices

Uterine Balloon Therapy System
Article Title: 
Dr. Claude Fortin uses new balloon therapy technology to reduce the number of hysterectomies required by women suffering from Menorrhagia.
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References

1 Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Medical Advisory Secretariat. "Thermal Balloon Endometrial Ablation for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding" Health Technology Literature Review: p.8 (2008)

2 The Mayo Clinic. (2008)

3 Fernandez H, Kobelt G, Gervaise A. "Economic Evaluation of Three Surgical Interventions for Menorrhagia." Human Reproduction 18(3): p. 585 (2003)

4 Cote I, Jacobs P, Cumming D. "Use of health services associated with increased menstrual loss in the United States" American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 188(2): 343-348 (February 2003)

5 Loffer, F and Grainger, D. "Five-year Post-Procedure Follow-up of Patients Participating in a Randomized Trial of Uterine Balloon Therapy vs. Rollerball Ablation for the Treatment of Menorrhagia." Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists 9(4): 429-435 (November 2002)

6 Amso N, Fernandez H, Vilos G, Fortin C, McFaul P, Schaffer M, et al. "Uterine Endometrial Thermal Balloon Therapy for the Treatment of Menorrhagia: Long-Term Multicentre Follow-up Study" Human Reproduction 18(5): 1082-1087 (May 2003)

Dr. Claude Fortin uses new balloon therapy technology to reduce the number of hysterectomies required by women suffering from Menorrhagia.

One in five women may suffer from Menorrhagia in her lifetime.1 For some of these women, having a hysterectomy - a major surgical intervention to entirely remove their uterus - may have been their only option. Today there are alternative, less-invasive choices that are producing outstanding results.

"Now hysterectomy is the last, and not the first line of treatment," says Dr. Claude Fortin, a Gynecologist at the Centre Hospitalier de LaSalle, Quebec.

Menorrhagia, also known as hypermenorrhea is a medical term for excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Although it is different in every woman, normal menstrual flow occurs every 21 to 35 days, lasts four to five days and produces a total blood loss of 30 to 40 ml (two to three tablespoons).2 Women suffering from Menorrhagia typically lose more than 80 ml of blood per menstrual cycle, an amount that can itself cause iron-deficiency anemia.1

Not normally fatal, Menorrhagia is debilitating. It can produce fatigue, anemia, extreme loss of blood and embarrassing "accidents" that can significantly impair self-confidence and interfere with a woman's ability to participate actively in the workplace. Fourteen per cent of women in one study reported Menorrhagia had an impact on their ability to work.1

A new technology called Uterine Balloon Therapy (UBT) offers an alternative to hysterectomy for women with Menorrhagia. UBT does not involve the removal of the uterus, in fact no incisions are involved. It can be done in a day surgery setting, eliminating the need for an overnight hospital stay. Patients can be back to work within a day or two and do not require extensive restrictions to their activities. Other surgical treatments, including hysterectomy and "Rollerball" ablations are more invasive and associated with higher risk factors due to the need for longer anesthetic and recovery times. Operating room costs for a hysterectomy are often two to five times greater than similar costs for a UBT procedure.3

"(UBT) also allows me to treat patients with underlying medical conditions that could not permit a more invasive procedure," explains Dr. Fortin. "For example, patients on Coumadin, (or with) severe heart or pulmonary conditions, morbid obesity and many others."

 

Technology Overview

UBT is a simple, one-time, minimally invasive 15-minute procedure that treats excessive menstrual bleeding for benign conditions. It results in permanently reduced or eliminated menstrual flow.

A soft, flexible balloon attached to a thin catheter is inserted into the uterus. No incision is required. The balloon is then filled with fluid so it inflates to the size and shape of the uterus. The fluid is heated and circulated inside the balloon for eight minutes while the lining of the uterus is treated. The treated uterine lining will slough off, or shed, like a period. This procedure can be performed under local anesthetic and is considered a same-day surgical procedure.

fast facts

  • 20% of women will experience Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) during their reproductive years.1
  • Women with heavier menstrual flow are 1.45 times more likely to use health care than women with lighter or normal flow.4
  • 95% of UBT patients report normal bleeding levels or less.5
  • 86% of women treated with UBT avoid hysterectomy.6 8
  • 8% of women need UBT treatment only once.6
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