Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids

The first reported cases of uterine artery embolization in obstetric and gynaecological practice were carried out in the late 1970s. Recently, bilateral uterine artery embolization was used as a primary treatment for fibroids. Meticulous preoperative assessment is essential. The technique of uterine artery embolization involves the catheterization of both uterine arteries and the installation of tiny micro particles of polyvinyl alcohol. Following the procedure, post-procedural pain occurs within the first 24 h and most patients are advised to rest for 1 week. In the UCLA and RSCH series, three infective complications occurred leading to hysterectomy and some patients developed amenorrhoea. Average shrinkage of fibroids in the UCLA, RSCH and French series were 40%, 64% and 70%, respectively, with most patients losing their symptoms and being satisfied with the procedure. Meticulous pre-operative assessment is essential. At UCLA, 140 patients, and at RSCH, 96 patients have been embolized. To date in the UK, US and French series, fibroid growth has been arrested and new fibroids have not formed. However, long-term follow-up on a larger number of cases will be required before the role of uterine artery embolization in the gynaecologic therapeutic armamentarium can be fully defined.