Pre-operative uterine artery embolization before hysterectomy or myomectomy: a single-center review of 53 patients

Abstract

PurposeTo assess outcomes of planned pre-operative uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with uterine fibroids at high risk for bleeding prior to hysterectomy or myomectomy. Materials & methodsA retrospective review of 53 consecutive patients who underwent planned UAE followed by surgery from 2004 to 2019 was performed in a subset of patients deemed high risk for bleeding by the referring surgeon due to bulky fibroids and/or adhesions. Characteristics of the largest fibroid, total number of fibroids, embolic agents, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, and other factors were collected. Results53 patients (mean age = 41) had an elective UAE prior to a hysterectomy 24 (45%) or myomectomy 29 (55%). Median interval between UAE & surgery was 21.6 h (range 1.75 h-57 days).Of the myomectomies, 13 (45%) were open, 15 (52%) hysteroscopic and 1 laparoscopic. Mean number of fibroids/patient was 4.1 (SD 1.3), mean fibroid volume was 328 cm3 (range 11–741), and the mean fibroid diameter in longest dimension was 7.4 cm (range 3.2–15). Mean EBL was 90 (SD 99.5 mL). Three (10%) myomectomy patients required blood transfusion.All hysterectomies were via a laparotomy. Mean fibroid volume was 1699 cm3 (range 93–9099 cm3) with a mean maximum diameter of 16.2 cm (range 6.5–29.6) and an average of 2.4 (SD 1.7) fibroids. Mean EBL was 352 (SD 220 mL). Four (17%) hysterectomy patients required an intra- or post-operative blood transfusion.At a mean 1-year follow-up (range 1 month-14 years), 70% of UAE-myomectomy patients and 74% of UAE-hysterectomy patients reported symptom resolution. Three (6%) patients were readmitted: one for osteodiscitis, one wound dehiscence, and one for an infected retained fibroid after myomectomy. ConclusionPlanned pre-operative UAE resulted in intraoperative blood loss similar to “all-comer” myomectomy and hysterectomy patients in the literature. Further studies may elucidate which patients would be the best candidates for this staged treatment paradigm.