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Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a minimally invasive non-surgical treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Instead of an invasive surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy, tiny particles are injected directly into the blood vessels supplying the fibroids, causing them to shrink dramatically. The vast majority of women experience complete resolution or significant reduction of their symptoms following UFE.
Uterine fibroids can cause painful, abnormally heavy menstrual cycles. Large uterine fibroids can compress adjacent structures such as the bladder, rectum or veins returning blood from the legs. In patients having UFE for abnormal bleeding or bulk-related symptoms, greater than 90% of women treated report complete resolution or significant improvement of their symptoms following the procedure. In patients with abnormal bleeding, many report dramatic improvement with their next menstrual cycle following UFE.
UFE is performed by highly specialized Board Certified physicans trained in Interventional Radiology (IR). After completing medical school, Interventional Radiologists under go six to seven years of training in order to perform minimally invasive procedures. An IR physician performs many types of procedures including angiograms, angioplasty, and intravascular stent placement.
Embolization is a procedure developed by Interventional Radiologists several decades ago to treat a wide variety of diseases. Embolization stops blood flow to a specific organ or site in the body by injecting a variety of agents including small particles, coils, or chemicals. Interventional Radiologists have used these techniques for many years to treat tumors, vascular malformation, and bleeding caused by trauma. Embolization of uterine arteries has also been used for many years to treat abnormally excessive bleeding following child birth.
Under light sedation and local anesthesia, Interventional Radiologists use sophisticated medical imaging equipment to guide small caliber plastic tubes called catheters into the arteries supplying blood to the uterus. After detailing the vascular supply to the uterus, small particles are injected to block the blood supply to the fibroid(s). Patients are usually kept overnight for observation and pain control. Most patients resume normal activities and are back to work in one week.
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