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What Are The After Effects Of An Uterine Artery Embolization?
Question: My daughter been told that she needs an uterine artery embolization or UAE for fibroids. Please explain the pros and cons of this procedure.
Brief Answer:
Both pros and cons are associated to this procedure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern. The pros of UAE is that it is a good alternative to surgery for women who are not planning a pregnancy in the future, the uterus is preserved, there is considerably less risk than surgery, there are no scars left after the procedure, the recovery time is faster (2 weeks, compared to surgery which has a recovery time up to 6 weeks), multiple fibroids are treated at once, there is a considerable improvement of fibroid symptoms in up to 90% of cases, the fibroids shrink is size and sometimes they may even detach and come out of the vagina.
As for the cons, it is true that some gynaecologists are reluctant to recommend UAE for multiple reasons. Besides the affected fertility, recent studies have shown that women undergoing UAE are more likely to need further procedures (such as repeat UAE or surgery) as compared to women who have undergone myomectomy or histerectomy (surgery). Another con is the fact that there are complications associated to this procedure, such as low grade fever, nausea, fatigue, pain and an increased number of white blood cells within the first few days after the procedure, that may need antibiotic therapy. Other complications noticed in a small percentage of patients include thrombosis, punctured blood vessels, infections, allergic reactions to the contrast substance used for the visualisation of the artery during the procedure. However, the percentage of the patients who developed these complications is small compared to the overall number of successful procedures.
I hope this answers your question.
I'd be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Wishing you and your daughter good health and all the best.
Both pros and cons are associated to this procedure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern. The pros of UAE is that it is a good alternative to surgery for women who are not planning a pregnancy in the future, the uterus is preserved, there is considerably less risk than surgery, there are no scars left after the procedure, the recovery time is faster (2 weeks, compared to surgery which has a recovery time up to 6 weeks), multiple fibroids are treated at once, there is a considerable improvement of fibroid symptoms in up to 90% of cases, the fibroids shrink is size and sometimes they may even detach and come out of the vagina.
As for the cons, it is true that some gynaecologists are reluctant to recommend UAE for multiple reasons. Besides the affected fertility, recent studies have shown that women undergoing UAE are more likely to need further procedures (such as repeat UAE or surgery) as compared to women who have undergone myomectomy or histerectomy (surgery). Another con is the fact that there are complications associated to this procedure, such as low grade fever, nausea, fatigue, pain and an increased number of white blood cells within the first few days after the procedure, that may need antibiotic therapy. Other complications noticed in a small percentage of patients include thrombosis, punctured blood vessels, infections, allergic reactions to the contrast substance used for the visualisation of the artery during the procedure. However, the percentage of the patients who developed these complications is small compared to the overall number of successful procedures.
I hope this answers your question.
I'd be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Wishing you and your daughter good health and all the best.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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