Publication:

Role of uterine artery embolisation in the treatment of symptomatic fibroids

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.