Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis and Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto offer the uterine fibroid embolization procedure for patients with uterine fibroids. 

  Fibroids are the most common type of benign uterine tumor, affecting more than 30 percent of women in this country. Fibroid tumors may start in women when they are in their 20s, however, most women do not begin having symptoms until their late 30s or 40s. Fibroids can cause many problems, including excessive uterine bleeding and pelvic pain. Traditional therapies include hormonal treatment; hysterectomy, or the surgical removal of the uterus; or myomectomy, which is the surgical removal of the fibroids.

  Uterine fibroid embolization is a new, minimally invasive procedure that helps shrink fibroids without surgery. UFE is performed by interventional radiologists, who are board-certified, medically trained physicians who specialize in performing minimally invasive, targeted treatments.

  Using a tiny catheter, the interventional radiologist blocks the blood supply to the fibroids by placing the catheter into the artery through the groin. Using X-ray imaging, radiologists direct the tip of the catheter into the main artery supplying blood to the uterus. Small plastic particles, which are about the size of grains of sand, are placed in that artery, blocking blood flow to the fibroid. The fibroid shrinks or dies completely from lack of blood flow. UFE is performed while patients are conscious and sedated.

  Candidates for the procedure may suffer from any of the following symptoms:

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods with unusual bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Pain in the back or legs
• Bladder pressure leading to the constant urge to urinate
• Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
• An abnormally enlarged abdomen. 

  UFE is considered to be very safe and is about 90 percent effective in relieving or eliminating the symptoms of fibroids. The procedure has even been successful in treating women with multiple fibroids. Usually, patients stay in the hospital for only 24 hours, and most patients fully recover within 10 days. Most importantly for many women, UFE leaves all reproductive organs intact and may preserve patients ability to have children.

  The November 2002 issue of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published the largest UFE study to date, which found the procedure had a high success rate, low symptom recurrence rate, and no regrowth of treated fibroids. Ninety-seven percent of the 400 women studied were pleased with the outcome and would recommend the treatment to others, and 84 percent showed an improvement in symptoms. These results are similar to and confirm the results of another study reported in the July 2001 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. That study reported an improvement of symptoms in 90 percent of patients.

  For more information or to make a referral, please call (901) 226-4758