Welcome
Support Centre
21 March 2013 
ISRCTN Register - International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number
Trial registration
Unique identification scheme
International databases
home  |   my details  |   ISRCTN Register  |   mRCT  |   links  |   information  |   news
Find trials
ISRCTN Register
tips on searching

Registration
New application
Updating record

Information
introduction
governing board
ISRCTN FAQs
data set
letter of agreement
request information
guidance notes
statistics

[ Print-friendly version ]
Multicentre study comparing two endometrial ablation techniques in the office: bipolar endometrial ablation versus balloon endometrial ablation
ISRCTN ISRCTN17974690
DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN17974690
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
EudraCT number
Public title Multicentre study comparing two endometrial ablation techniques in the office: bipolar endometrial ablation versus balloon endometrial ablation
Scientific title Bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation versus balloon endometrial ablation in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the office: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial
Acronym NOTE
Serial number at source N/A
Study hypothesis NOTE [NOvasure versus ThErmablate]

The balloon endometrial ablation (Thermablate) will give a 30% amenorrhea rate and will be acceptable to undergo with only local anesthesia. The bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation (Novasure) will be the gold standard.

The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in amenorrhea rate between both groups.

Ablation techniques in the office: The endometrial ablation procedures were performed in the outpatient clinic with local anesthesia (paracervical block) and not in the operating room.
Lay summary Background and study aims
Excessive menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, is a significant health problem in women in reproductive age. It can cause anemia and reduce their quality of life. We want to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of two second-generation endometrial ablation [is a medical procedure that is used to remove (ablate) or destroy the endometrial lining of a uterus] techniques, bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation and balloon ablation in the treatment of menorrhagia.

Who can participate?
This study aims to recruit about 104 women with menorrhagia who want to undergo an endometrial ablation.

What does the study involve?
Over a period of about three years participants will be undergo an endometrial ablation randomly allocated to bipolar endometrial ablation or balloon ablation in the outpatient clinic.
Visual analogue scales will be used to measure pain when dilating the cervix, during the endometrial ablation, and at 1,4,12 and 24 hours after the procedure. Follow-up visits at the outpatient clinic or by telephone will be at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after the initial treatment. At each follow up visit, duration of menstruation, presence of dysmenorrhea and clots will be registered. Patients will also complete a pictorial chart, and will express their satisfaction about the treatment result.
At the end of the study, we will compare the amount of women with amenorrhea. Other outcome measures will be painscores, reduction in bleeding, patient satisfaction and re-interventions.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
These are women who already want an endometrial ablation to be performed for their menorrhagia. The identifiable risks associated with the use of the Novasure and/or Thermablate ablation as well as participation in this study is as follows: hemorrhage, perforated uterine wall, lacerated cervical canal, cervical stenosis, urinary tract/vaginal infection, hematometra, thermal damage, endometritis, abdominal surgery to repair a possible perforation and post-coital bleeding. Other clinical events include pelvic cramping, vaginal discharge, nausea/vomiting, post ablation tubal sterilization syndrome and pregnancy following ablation, which may be dangerous to the mother and fetus. All risks are possible and the chance of their occurrence is low. There is also the risk that the surgery may not be effective or the patient may not be able to be treated because of obstructions within the cavity, an unusual cavity shape or an insufficient cornu-to-cornu width. All adverse events or complications, device related or not, will be recorded and reported.

Where is the study run from?
The study has been set up by the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in the Maxima Medical Centre in Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Other participating hospitals are the TweeSteden Kliniek in Tilburg and the ZuidOostKliniek in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Recruitment started in March 2009 and we expect it to run for about three years. Participants were enrolled on the study for a period of one year.

Who is funding the study?
Maxima Medical Centre (Netherlands) - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Who is the main contact?
Josien Penninx MD, josienp@hotmail.com
Marlies Bongers MD PhD, m.bongers@mmc.nl
Ethics approval Medical Ethics Committee Maxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, February 2009, Ref. : 813
Study design Multi-centre double-blind randomized controlled trial
Countries of recruitment Netherlands
Disease/condition/study domain Endometrial ablation in women with menorrhagia
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. Women (aged 34 to 55 years) with menorrhagia ( > 150 points on Higham pictorial chart score)
2. Normal uterine cavity (confirmed by saline infusion sonography or hysteroscopy)
3. Normal Pap smear
4. A premenopausal follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)-level of less than 40 IU/I
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Presence of coagulopathies
2. Use of anti-coagulants
3. A desire to preserve fertility
4. Prior uterine surgery, other than low segment Caesarean section
5. Suspected or confirmed uterine malignancy
6. Intra cavitairy pathology, except polyps < 1cm
Anticipated start date 01/03/2009
Anticipated end date 01/02/2013
Status of trial Completed
Patient information material Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Target number of participants 104
Interventions Bipolar endometrial ablation (NovaSure) versus balloon endometrial ablation (Thermablate).

The total duration of treatment was about 5 to 45 minutes, mean: 11 minutes.
Primary outcome measure(s) The number of women with amenorrhea measured at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after treatment, scored (zero) on a pictorial chart menstruation score.
Secondary outcome measure(s) 1. Painscores: Visual analogue scales were used to measure pain during the procedure when dilating the cervix, during the endometrial ablation, and at 1, 4, 12 and 24 hours after the procedure
2. Reduction in menstrual bleeding : measured by a pictorial chart score at baseline and at each follow up visit at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after the endometrial ablation
3. Patient satisfaction : asked at each follow up visit at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after the procedure ( completely satisfied, satisfied, doubtful, unsatisfied)
4. Re-interventions: measured at 6 weeks, 6 months and12 months after the endometrial ablation
5. Quality of life: measured with a Shaw questionnaire (multi attribute utility menstruation scale) at baseline, and each follow up visit at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months follow up
Sources of funding Maxima Medical Centre (Netherlands) - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Miss  Josien  Penninx
  Address De Run 4600
  City/town Veldhoven
  Zip/Postcode 5500 MB
  Country Netherlands
  Tel +31 (0)40 888 8388
  Email j.penninx@mmc.nl
Sponsor Maxima Medical Center (Netherlands)
  Address PO Box 777
  City/town Veldhoven
  Zip/Postcode 5500 MB
  Country Netherlands
  Tel +31 (0)40 888 8384
  Fax +31 (0)40 888 8387
  Email m.bongers@mmc.nl
  Sponsor website: http://www.mmc.nl/
Date applied 07/01/2013
Last edited 11/02/2013
Date ISRCTN assigned 11/02/2013
Submit your trial protocol
Submit to Trials journal
Follow us on Twitter
© 2013 ISRCTN unless otherwise stated.