Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

 

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General Procedural Information

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a relatively new procedure.  The number of UFE procedures has grown. Although uterine fibroids are benign tumors, they can cause heavy bleeding, pain and pressure. Symptomatic fibroids significantly decrease quality of life for women with this condition.

Medical therapy may offer relief for some women with symptomatic fibroids. The surgical options of hysterectomy (the removal of the entire uterus), and myomectomy (the removal of one or more individual fibroids) are commonly offered interventions.

UFE offers an important therapeutic alternative for women with symptomatic fibroids. Unlike hysterectomy and myomectomy, the procedure is non-surgical. As a less invasive technique, it generally avoids the need for general anesthesia and is associated with a faster recovery rate. 

Unlike hysterectomy, it is generally also a uterus-sparing technique. The technical goal of UFE is to infarct the fibroids. The clinical goal is to relieve the symptoms causing quality of life issues for the patient. These goals require the occlusion only of the vascular supply to the tumor. The main uterine artery generally remains patent. Successful embolization results in fibroid infarction with maintenance of uterine perfusion and a normal myometrium.