Women's Health Procedures
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- Fallopian Tube Recanalization - Infertility Treatments using Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions and Procedures
- Pelvic Pain (Chronic) - Chronic Pelvic Pain Treatment Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions and Procedures
- Tubal Occlusion -Tubal Occlusion Treatment by Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions and Procedures
Uterine Fibroid Embolization using Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions and Procedures
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a new way of treating fibroid tumors of the uterus. Fibroid tumors, also known as Myomas, are masses of fibrous and muscle tissue in the uterine wall which are benign, but which may cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain in the pelvic region, or pressure on the bladder or bowel. Uterine Fibroid Embolization, done under local anesthesia, is much less invasive than open surgery done to remove uterine fibroids. The procedure is performed by an experienced interventional radiologist, a physician specially trained to perform uterine fibroid embolization and similar procedures.
Angiographic methods are similar to those used in heart catheterization. A catheter is placed in each of the two uterine arteries and small particles are injected to block the arterial branches that supply blood to the fibroids. The fibroid tissue dies, the masses shrink, and in most cases symptoms are relieved. The women who will benefit most from UFE are those who have symptomatic fibroids and are not pregnant, have no desire for future fertility, want to retain their uterus, and prefer to avoid transfusions because of health or religious reasons.
Appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the fibroids, as well as the severity of symptoms. If a woman is not experiencing symptoms, her doctor will most likely suggest "watchful waiting" — checking the fibroid at annual gynecologic examinations and monitoring for symptoms.
If symptoms develop, there are a number of treatment options:
- Drug Therapy including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), birth-control pills and hormone therapy
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) a non-surgical treatment that causes the fibroid to shrink
- Surgery including myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids) and hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).
Treatment Option: Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Known medically as uterine artery embolization, this approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids, causing them to shrink. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin, and it is performed while the patient is conscious but sedated.
In the procedure, the interventional radiologist makes a small incision in the skin (less than one-quarter of an inch) in the groin to access the femoral artery and inserts a tiny catheter (tube) into the artery. Local anesthesia is used so the needle puncture is not painful. The catheter is guided through the artery to the uterus, while the radiologist guides the procedure using a moving X-ray (fluoroscopy). The radiologist injects tiny plastic particles the size of grains of sand into the artery supplying blood to the fibroid tumor. This cuts off the blood flow and causes the tumor (or tumors) to shrink. The artery on the other side of the uterus is then treated. The skin puncture where the catheter was inserted is cleaned and covered with a bandage.
Fibroid embolization usually requires a hospital stay of one night. Pain-killing medications and drugs that control swelling are typically prescribed following the procedure to treat cramping and pain. Fever sometimes occurs after embolization and is usually treated with acetaminophen. Many women resume light activities in a few days, and the majority o women are able to return to normal activities within one week. While embolization to treat uterine fibroids has been performed since 1995, embolization of the arteries in the uterus is not new. It has been used successfully by interventional radiologists for more than 20 years to treat heavy bleeding after childbirth.
Expected Results
Studies show that 78 to 94 percent of women who undergo the procedure experience significant or total relief from heavy bleeding, pain, and other symptoms. The procedure is also effective for multiple fibroids. recurrence of treated fibroids is very rare. In one study in which patients were followed for six years, not one fibroid that had been embolized grew back.
Possible Side Effects and Complications
Fibroid embolization is considered to be a very safe procedure.
However, there are some associated risks, as there are with almost any
medical procedure. Most women experience moderate to severe
pain and cramping in the first several hours following the
procedure. Some experience nausea and fever. These symptoms can be
controlled with appropriate medications. A small number of patients have
experienced infection, which usually can be controlled with
antibiotics. It has also been reported that there is a 1
percent chance of injury to the uterus, potentially leading to
hysterectomy. These complication rates are lower than those of
hysterectomy and myomectomy.
Contact . We are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer basic questions about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).