Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is also known as uterine artery embolisation (UAE).
UFE is a safe, effective and minimally invasive, non-surgical alternative to a hysterectomy. Shrinking fibroids, reducing heavy periods and relieving pain, UFE has been shown to be as effective as a hysterectomy in improving women’s quality of life.
The procedure and its benefits can be summarised as follows:
- Local anaesthetic procedure
- Proven safety and effectiveness
- Over 90% patient satisfaction rate
- No surgical cuts, no general anaesthesia
- 1 – 2 nights hospital stay
- 1-week recovery
- Multiple fibroids treated in one go
- Keep your uterus and pelvic floor intact
Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is performed by an interventional radiologist. During the procedure, tiny particles are injected inside the uterine arteries to block the blood flow, thereby starving the fibroids, causing shrinkage and alleviating symptoms. Only a tiny nick on the skin is needed to allow insertion of a small, 1 – 2mm diameter catheter into the femoral artery in the groin. This catheter is advanced into the arteries of the uterus under X-ray guidance.
The procedure is suitable for women who wish to avoid a hysterectomy, keep their uterus and recover quickly. Condoleezza Rice, the 66th US Secretary of State, successfully underwent uterine fibroid embolisation for her fibroids in 2004. She chose UFE over hysterectomy.
For more information on UFE as a uterine fibroid treatment, click the link to UFE FAQs