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Midterm clinical and first reproductive results of a randomized controlled trial comparing uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy. Mara M, Maskova J, Fucikova Z, Kuzel D, Belsan T, Sosna O. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2008 Jan-Feb;31(1):73-85. Epub 2007 Oct 18

The purpose of this study was to compare the midterm results of a radiological and surgical approach to uterine fibroids. One hundred twenty-one women with reproductive plans who presented with an intramural fibroid(s) larger than 4 cm were randomly selected for either uterine artery embolization (UAE) or myomectomy. We compared the efficacy and safety of the two procedures and their impact on patient fertility. Fifty-eight embolizations and 63 myomectomies (42 laparoscopic, 21 open) were performed. One hundred eighteen patients have finished at least a 12-month follow-up; the mean follow-up in the entire study population was 24.9 months. Embolized patients underwent a significantly shorter procedure and required a shorter hospital stay and recovery period. They also presented with a lower CRP concentration on the second day after the procedure (p < 0.0001 for all parameters). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rate of technical success, symptomatic effectiveness, postprocedural follicle stimulating hormone levels, number of reinterventions for fibroid recurrence or regrowth, or complication rates. Forty women after myomectomy and 26 after UAE have tried to conceive, and of these we registered 50 gestations in 45 women. There were more pregnancies (33) and labors (19) and fewer abortions (6) after surgery than after embolization (17 pregnancies, 5 labors, 9 abortions) (p < 0.05). Obstetrical and perinatal results were similar in both groups, possibly due to the low number of labors after UAE to date. We conclude that UAE is less invasive and as symptomatically effective and safe as myomectomy, but myomectomy appears to have superior reproductive outcomes in the first 2 years after treatment.   PubMed

Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata: the Ontario multicenter trial. Pron G, Mocarski E, Bennett J, Vilos G, Common A, Vanderburgh L; Ontario UFE Collaborative Group. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Jan;105(1):67-76.

OBJECTIVE: To report on pregnancies and deliveries occurring in a large cohort of women who underwent uterine artery embolization instead of surgery for symptomatic leiomyomata. METHODS: A total of 555 women underwent uterine embolization in a multicenter clinical trial. The primary embolic agent was 355-500 microm polyvinyl alcohol particles with treatment end-point as bilateral stasis in the uterine arteries. Women desiring pregnancy were informed of the uncertain effect of embolization on fertility and pregnancy. Average age at embolization was 43 years (range 18-59 years). Thirty-one percent were younger than age 40 years. Women were followed up prospectively by telephone, and obstetric records of the women who conceived were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-one women of average age 34 years (range 27-42 years) conceived, (3 of these twice), and 13 women were nulliparous. Twenty-three of the 24 pregnancies were conceived spontaneously (1 woman had in vitro fertilization). There were 4 spontaneous abortions (16.7%, 95% confidence interval 5.4-41.9%) and 2 elective pregnancy terminations. Fourteen of the 18 live births were full term and 4 were preterm. There were 9 vaginal deliveries and 9 cesarean deliveries, 4 of which were elective. Abnormal placentation occurred in 3 cases, all nulliparas (12.5% 95% confidence interval 3.1-36.3%). Two cases developed placenta previa (1 had a clinical partial accreta) and the third developed a placenta membranacea with accreta resulting in cesarean hysterectomy. Three postpartum hemorrhages all secondary to placental abnormalities occurred. Four newborns were small for gestational age (< or = 5th percentile); 2 of these pregnancies were complicated by gestational hypertension. CONCLUSION: Women are able to achieve pregnancies after uterine artery embolization, and most resulted in term deliveries and appropriately grown newborns. Close monitoring of placental status, however, is recommended.  PubMed

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