Evaluation of effectiveness, acceptability and safety of thermal ablation in the treatment of cervical neoplasia in Burundi

Abstract

This longitudinal study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, acceptability and safety of the thermal ablation procedure (TA) in the treatment of cervical neoplasia. Women referred to the Gynaecology ward for symptoms or for opportunistic screening were assessed by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopy. Those with lesions eligible to ablation were counselled and treated by TA. They were inquired about the level of pain during the procedure, and their level of satisfaction. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks for any complication and reassessed by VIA and colposcopy at 12 months for any persistent or recurrent lesion and for any adverse event. A total of 86 women with a positive VIA test were included in the study. The mean age was 46 years (28‐61 years). Most of the women did not complain about any adverse event during treatment; one‐third presented mild pain or cramp. At the 6‐week visit, watery discharge was the main adverse event reported. All women were highly satisfied with TA and most of them would recommend it. At the 12‐month visit, 82 women were examined (95% follow‐up rate), and the overall cure rate was 96% (low‐grade lesions: 98%; high‐grade lesions: 94%). Three women presented low‐ and high‐grade lesions that were treated by TA. No major adverse event or hospitalisation after the treatment was reported. In conclusion, TA was an effective procedure with a high cure rate at the 1‐year follow‐up visit. It was acceptable and safe, with only minor short‐term side‐effects reported and with a high satisfaction rate among the patients.