Open AccessLong‐term follow up after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas
Author(s) -
POULSEN BENTE,
MUNK TORBEN,
RAVN PERNILLE
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01229.x
Subject(s) - medicine , uterine artery embolization , hysterectomy , uterine leiomyoma , myoma , embolization , leiomyoma , uterine artery , surgery , cohort , uterus , pregnancy , gestation , biology , genetics
Uterine artery embolization is one of the established treatment options for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, with a proven effect on the size of leiomyomas and providing short‐term relief of symptoms. Only few studies have addressed long‐term satisfaction with the treatment. We conducted a historical cohort study of 96 patients. The patients were treated at a median age of 43years (range 23–59years). The median size of the largest myoma was 69mm (range 20–170mm). By use of a postal questionnaire (response rate 86%) and audit of patient files, we found that 53% reported full recovery of symptoms and 36% some effect on symptoms after a median of 8.9years (range 8–9.4years). Overall, 25% of the women reported a need for further treatment. The rate of eventual hysterectomy was 22%. We confirm that uterine artery embolization is a safe and well‐tolerated procedure with a high long‐term satisfaction rate.