Fertility and Sterility
Volume 79, Issue 1 , Pages 128-131, January 2003

Serious complications of uterine artery embolization for conservative treatment of fibroids

  • John F. Payne, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: John F. Payne, M.D., Box 3143, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA (FAX 919-681-7904).
    • ,
  • A.F. Haney, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

Received 12 February 2002; received in revised form 26 April 2002; accepted 26 April 2002.

Abstract 

Objective

Document major complications following treatment of fibroids by uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Design

Two case reports.

Setting

University medical center.

Patient(s)

Two women with symptomatic fibroid uteri.

Intervention(s)

Selective bilateral uterine artery embolization.

Main outcome measure(s)

Complications attributable to UAE.

Result(s)

Two patients experienced significant morbidity requiring hysterectomy due to infection and/or partial bowel obstruction resulting from UAE.

Conclusion(s)

Reports of the management of symptoms related to fibroids with UAE infrequently include adverse outcomes and/or complications. The two cases we managed reinforce that UAE is not free of the risk of life-threatening complications that require emergency hysterectomy. Increasing surveillance for complications may help define the selection criteria that decrease the risks of UAE.

Keywords:  Uterine artery embolization, complications, uterine fibroids, leiomyomata

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PII: S0015-0282(02)04398-4

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 79, Issue 1 , Pages 128-131, January 2003

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