Role of uterine artery embolisation in the treatment of symptomatic fibroids

Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor in the female reproductive tract with high incidence of 40%. The objectives were to evaluate the technical success of the uterine artery embolisation in symptomatic fibroids and to evaluate improvement of symptoms and determine complications.   Methods: Total 15 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids were undergone uterine artery embolisation over a period of two years. The patients were followed with pelvic ultrasound immediately after the procedure and at 2 and 6 months intervals after procedure.Results: There was significant reduction in size of fibroids and improvement of symptoms after the procedure. Technical success rate and clinical success rate are 96% and 93% respectively which are comparable with other international studies. The complications with this procedure are few. The most common complication is pelvic pain.Conclusions: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign pelvic neoplasms, affecting nearly 40% of women of reproductive age. In the management of symptomatic fibroids uterine artery embolisation is a safe and effective alternative to surgery with markedly reduced morbidity and mortality.