Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that cause symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding for some women. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is an approved, non-surgical treatment that may be a better option for many women with uterine fibroids than conventional treatments that remove the uterus (hysterectomy) or scrape or burn the fibroids in the uterus (myomectomy). If you would like to avoid the removal of your uterus or other surgery that requires a lengthy recovery, you’ve come to the right place.
Take a look at this video interview with Dr. Steven Smith, explaining uterine artery embolization.
Unlike surgery, UFE does not require general anesthesia, stitches, scarring, blood loss, removal of the uterus or burning or scraping of the uterine lining. There is a much more rapid return to normal function after UFE than after open surgery.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Bulletin of August 2008 states that there is “Level A” evidence [scientifically solid proof] that “based on long and short-term outcomes, uterine artery embolization [UFE] is a safe and effective option for appropriately selected women who wish to retain their uteri.” We at drfibroid.com congratulate our colleagues at ACOG on their official recognition of the value of this minimally invasive procedure.
UFE is an Approved Fibroid Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of embolizing particles to treat fibroid tumors with UFE. FDA statement
Our Experience
LaGrange Memorial Hospital was chosen as a core site to participate in a study of over 3,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe treated with UFE for uterine fibroids. Our own Dr. Steven Smith was a core investigator in the study, the largest of its kind in the world. The study was sponsored by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation (CIRREF) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), in cooperation with the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). Results of this study (link to PubMed)
Read Dr. Smith’s article about uterine fibroids, published in American Family Physician.
Caring for Women
In the News
See a news video about how our doctors performed the first ever successful UFE on a gorilla.