THE UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLISATION PROCEDURE
During the Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE) Procedure, an interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter into the radial artery through a tiny hole in front of the wrist. Specialised X-rays are used to guide a micro-catheter into the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroids. Tiny particles are then released through the catheter which occludes the blood supply to the fibroids, which in turn causes them to become inactive and shrink.
Step 1
A thin tube (catheter) is placed in the radial artery of the wrist which is advanced into the blood vessels that supply the uterus.
Step 2
Tiny particles are then infused into the blood vessels supplying the fibroids.
Step 3
The fibroids, now starved of their nutrient supply shrink. Periods improve immediately. The procedure is tailored to the individual patient.
Why Choose Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
Uterine Artery Embolisation is a permanent treatment for fibroids that provides significant or total relief from fibroid related symptoms. It requires an overnight stay in hospital. The risk of recurrence of fibroids after Uterine Fibroid Embolisation is very low. This procedure can only be undertaken in a hospital with a specially equipped angiographic theatre by an interventional radiologist who has undergone the appropriate specialist medical training. The patients are asleep during the Uterine Fibroid Embolisation Procedure (sedated) but they do not require ventillation or a general anaesthetic.
Post Uterine Fibroid Embolisation
UFE procedure requires only an overnight hospital stay. This is what you can expect after undergoing the procedure:
Bleeding from the uterus stops almost immediately.
After the procedure, there is a dull ache in the lower abdomen. Similar to a period pain. This is due to the arteries supplying the fibroid shutting down.
This pain is easily controlled with medication and disappears over a short period of time.
The skin incision used to perform the embolisation is so small that there is no need for stitches and is almost invisible within a few weeks.
The patient will go home as soon as she is comfortable and pain-free the day after the procedure.
