What it is - Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a procedure where an interventional radiologist uses a catheter to deliver small particles that block the blood supply to the fibroids. If the procedure is done for the treatment of uterine fibroids it is also called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). The procedure is not a surgical intervention and allows the uterus to be kept in place.
Benefits of non surgical treatment -
FREQUENTLY ASKED |
Surgical – |
HIFU |
|
| 1) When it can be done? | Any day |
Just after period |
Just after period |
| 2) Type of anesthesia | Local or mild |
General |
Needed |
| 3) Blood transfusion | Nil |
Required |
nil |
| 4) Chances of uterus removal during surgery | Nil |
5-10% |
Nil |
| 5) Hospitalization | One day |
3-5 days |
One day |
| 6) Scar in abdomen | Nil |
Yes |
Nil |
| 7) Blood loss | Nil |
Yes |
Nil |
| 8) Multiple fibroid | One sitting, any type of fibroid |
Difficult to remove all |
Multiple sitting. Only for small & single fibroid |
| 9) Recovery | 1-2 days |
3-6 week |
1-2 days |
| 10) Full recovery | 1 week |
3 – 12 months |
1 week |
| 11) Recurrence | 0.5% |
Up to 10% |
More than 10% |
| 12) Internal scar | Nil |
Yes |
nil |
| 13) Cost | Less expensive |
expensive |
Very expensive |
| 14) Treating associated condition like adenomyosis | Yes in same sitting |
No |
No |
| 15) Death | Nil |
Less than 1% |
Nil |
| 16) fertility | May women had successful pregnancies |
It can be |
It can be |
Procedure - It is under local anesthesia, an interventional radiologist introduces a catheter into the femoral artery at the groin and uses radiographic guidance to advance the catheter into the uterine artery. Microparticles (spheres or beads) are then released, which will block blood flow through the vessel. Even if both uterine arteries are occluded, abdundant collateral circulation prevents the uterus from necrosing. The procedure is not a surgical intervention, and allows the uterus to be kept in place.
UAE is frequently used to relieve symptoms caused by uterine fibroids. It has satisfaction rates similar to hysterectomy and much shorter recovery times
After treatment - Studies have shown that uterine artery embolization reduces symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pain, urinary incontinence and abdominal enlargement. Five years after treatment with uterine artery embolization, more than 85-97 percent of women maintain symptom control. These results are comparable to that of myomectomy, in which the fibroids are surgically removed and the uterus repaired.
Menstruation and menopause - Your menstrual period will probably resume as normal as before within a month. A small number of women, however, enter menopause after the procedure. The risk appears highest among women age 45 and older.
Women those have fibroids always have risk of fertility. Despite these risks, many women have had successful pregnancies following uterine artery embolization.
Medications for uterine fibroids target hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle, treating symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure. They don't eliminate fibroids. Medications include:
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Medications called GnRH agonists treat fibroids by causing your natural estrogen and progesterone levels to decrease, putting you into a temporary postmenopausal state. Many women have significant hot flashes while using this medication.
Androgens. This drug similar to male hormone testosterone, may effectively stop menstruation, correct anemia. However, this drug is rarely used to treat fibroids. Unpleasant side effects, such as weight gain, feeling depressed, anxious or uneasy, acne, headaches, unwanted hair growth and a deeper voice, make many women reluctant to take this drug.