UTERINE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION – A NEW METHOD OF TREATMENT FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS

Abstract

Background. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) represents a novel, minimally invasive method of treatment for uterine fibroids. It has been carried out at Maribor Teaching Hospital since 2001. The aim of our investigation was to appraise the eventual objective improvement following the procedure, and at the same time to establish how the patients experienced the procedure itself and how they estimated its success three months later. Methods. UAE was carried out in 28 patients with a solitary uterine fibroid. At the end of the first and third month post UAE we measured the size of the fibroid and calculated its volume on a monthly basis using the ultrasonographic device ATL-HDI 3000. To all patients, in whom UAE had been performed more than three months earlier, a special questionnaire form with enclosed visual analogue scale was mailed. They were asked to evaluate the success of treatment. Nonparametric descriptive statistics was used for data description. Results. The mean diameter of the fibroids prior to UAE amounted to 63 mm – in 71.4% of these fibroids the location was transmural. The procedure was successful in 26 patients (92.9%). In the first month post UAE two submucous fibroids were eliminated spontaneously while the rest were decreased by 54.0% three months after the procedure. Three months post UAE the leading symptom improved by over 72.7% and as many as 90.9% of women believe that their quality of life improved significantly after UAE. They estimated the degree of improvement at an average 58.6%. Conclusions. Our results show that UAE is a very effective and safe method of treatment for symptomatic fibroids of the uterus. Our patients are satisfied with the results of the procedure. However, their satisfaction would be even greater if a more appropriate post-embolization analgesia were at their disposal.