UAE RESULTS & BENEFITS

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•   Results and Success Rate
•   Morbidity & Mortality
•   Effect on Fertility
•   Benefits of Embolisation
•   Embolisation as a First Line Treatment

Results and Success Rate

Embolisation is technically successful in 96-99% of patients.  Some patients may develop arterial spasm, making bilateral embolisation impossible at that time.  The embolisation can be completed at another time in most cases. ^{[29],[59],[60],[61],[62],[63],[64],[65],[68]}

90% of patients have relief from menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea and bulk-related symptoms.  90% of those suffering from menorrhagia had normal periods within a month, while others resolved over the next 12 months with 99% returning to normal.  2.6% had temporary amenorrhoea. ^{[29],[30],[60]}  1-7% can develop permanent amenorrhoea. ^[65],[68]

After 6 months there is an average reduction of 60% in fibroid volume and this may be a further reduced for up to 12 months.

MRI scans showing fibroids pre and post embolisation procedure
Click here to enlarge

Smaller leiomyomata under 5cm may disappear altogether and the uterine size also reduces significantly.

Women have a very high satisfaction rate for the technique with a high percentage 85-97% willing to have the procedure again and many recommending it to friends and colleagues.  Many have an overall improvement in their health.  There is an overall success rate of approximately 89-97 %. ^{[29],[30],[52],[59],[60],[65]}

Return to work is in 2-5weeks while return to feeling completely well ranges widely from within 2 days to several months, but the average is 5 weeks. ^{[29],[59],[60],[65]} 

For more information please see:
Uterine Fibroid Embolization by Dr Nigel Cowan,
Churchill Hospital, Oxford.  
Website details:  http://www.fibroids.me.uk 

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Morbidity & Mortality

Complications are very rare after UAE.  In the short-term there can be infection 1%, which is responsive to antibiotics, pyrexia from post-embolisation syndrome 4-7%, which must be differentiated from infection, prolonged vaginal discharge and expulsion of necrotic fibroids 7%, which may require surgical assistance.  The menstrual cycle can be disrupted in some patients, but returns to normal in 99% of patients within 12 months. ^{[29],[59],[60],[65],[68]}

The long-term morbidity from embolisation is very low.  Some women (1-7%) have to go on to have go to hysterectomy, as their fibroids do not shrink sufficiently. ^{[29],[30],[59],[60]}

There have been 4 deaths to date worldwide in approximately 50,000 cases.  Two were from pulmonary embolism, one of these was in a woman in her 60s who was not mobilised for some days, one from sepsis and one from migration of the embolisation material.  The type of embolisation material used in this case in the Netherlands is not normally used in the UK. ^{[29],[30],[31],[56],[60]}

This compares well with the mortality rate for hysterectomy of 1 in 3,300.^[15], ^[26]  Much higher mortality rates have been reported - 1-2 in 1,000 (Martin & Benson 1987). This rate would give rise to 9-60 deaths per annum in the UK.

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Effect on Fertility

Embolisation can be performed as a first line therapy and also after myomectomy.  Fertility will be maintained and there have been at least 50 successful pregnancies reported to date. ^{[29],[30],[31],[56],[64],[65]}

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Benefits of Embolisation

•   Women are sterile after hysterectomy: they remain fertile after
    embolisation.
    

•   Uterine embolisation is carried out under conscious sedation; no general
    anaesthetic or surgery is involved therefore:-

  •   The recovery time is much shorter than surgery 2-5 weeks
      compared with 2-3 months.
  •   Heavy haemorrhaging requiring blood transfusion and
      postoperative adhesions can be side effects of both surgical
      procedures.
      
•   There is less likelihood of serious complications because:-
  •   There is no general anaesthetic.
  •   The entry site for the catheter used in embolisation is tiny so:-
    •   The risk of infection is much lower than surgery.
    •   Recovery is much quicker because there is almost no
        muscle, skin or organ damage from surgery.
        

•   Deep vein thrombosis can occur after surgery leading to pulmonary
    embolism, a blood clot on the lung that can be fatal.  This is much less
    likely with embolisation.
    

•   There is less likelihood of long term complication because all organs and
    tissues remain in situ so:

  •   There has been no documented case of urinary incontinence with
       embolisation.
  •   The uterus and cervix remain intact and these play a part in the
      orgasm and women's enjoyment of sex.
      
•   Lifting and physical activity is not affected
    

•   It only involves a short hospital stay - 1 night compared with 1-2 weeks
    for surgery.
    

•   Gynaecologists are unable to advise women prior to hysterectomy what
    will need to be removed - uterus, cervix and in some cases ovaries. 
    Some women find this unacceptable.
    

•   Women having hysterectomy reach the menopause approximately 5
    years  earlier than those who don't - this not only causes distress to the
    women, but also has costs associated with HRT, etc.
    

•   Fibroids often reoccur after myomectomy.
    

•   Some women become clinically depressed after hysterectomy.
    

•   Many women feel they are no longer 'feminine' after hysterectomy.

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Embolisation as a First Line Treatment

Embolisation potentially has a better safety profile than surgery for the treatment of fibroids, a shorter recovery time and no known long-term side effects.

It is less expensive to perform than surgery.

Potentially it should be viewed as a first-line therapy for the treatment of fibroids with potential benefits to patients and the NHS alike.

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Last updated: 12 Apr 2004