Interventional Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroid by Uterine Artery Embolisation at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of interventional therapy for symptomatic uterine fibroid by transcatheter uterine artery embolisation.

Methods: Sixteen patients of symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated with selective uterine artery embolisation, and the relief of  symptoms and reduction of fibroids were observed.

Results: Bilateral uterine artery embolisation was done in 16 patients. Follow-up for 5 ~ 7 months showed that the clinical symptoms  of 14 patients were obviously improved, and the re-examination of 1 patient of a very large myoma showed no obvious change after 6 months. B-Ultrasound showed that the size of the tumor was reduced by 43% ~ 92%. The major complication was being is  postoperative lower abdominal pain.

Conclusion: Uterine artery embolisation is a safe and effective method to treat uterine fibroid.

Keywords: Uterine Fibroid; Embolism; Uterine Artery