Uterine artery embolization for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids

January 01, 0001

Uterine artery embolization for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids

The purpose of this study by Dutch authors was to compare clinical outcome and health related quality of life (HRQOL) 5 years after uterine artery embolization (UAE) or hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia caused by uterine fibroids.

They found: "Patients were assigned randomly to UAE (n = 88) or hysterectomy (n = 89). Five years after treatment 23 of 81 UAE patients (28.4%) had undergone a hysterectomy because of insufficient improvement of complaints (24.7% after successful UAE). HRQOL measures improved significantly and remained stable until the 5-year follow-up evaluation, with no differences between the groups. UAE had a positive effect both on urinary and defecation function."

The authors concluded: "UAE is a well-established alternative to hysterectomy about which patients should be counseled."

Uterine artery embolization should be first line therapy for symptomatic uterine fibroids.


For the full abstract, click here.

Am J Obstet Gynecol 203:105e1-13, August 2010
© 2010 by Mosby, Inc.
Uterine artery embolization vs hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: 5-year outcome from the randomized EMMY trial. Sanne M.van der Kooij, Wouter J.K. Hehenkamp, Nicole A. Volkers, Erwin Birnie, Willem M. Ankum, Jim A. Reekers. Correspondence to Dr. van der Kooij: [email protected]

Category: X. Female Genital System, Breast. Keywords: uterine fibroid, hysterectomy, menorrhagia, uterine artery embolization, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 3 September 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.