Definition of Uterine artery embolization:

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a procedure to treat fibroids without surgery. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the uterus (womb).

During the procedure, the blood supply of the fibroids is cut off, causing the fibroids to shrink.

Description:

UAE is done by a doctor called an interventional radiologist.

You will be awake but unable to feel pain. (This is called conscious sedation.) The procedure takes about 45 - 60 minutes.

The procedure is usually done this way:

• You will receive a sedative, a medicine that will make you relaxed and sleepy.
• A local anesthetic (pain-killer) will be applied to your skin around your groin. This will numb the area so you do not feel pain.
• The radiologist will make a 1/8-inch-long incision (cut) in your skin. Then the radiologist will insert a catheter (a thin tube) into your femoral artery. This artery is at the top of your leg. Next the radiologist will thread the catheter into your uterine artery. This artery supplies blood to the uterus.
• Small plastic or gelatin particles will be injected through the catheter into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroids. These particles block the blood supply to the tiny arteries that carry blood to the fibroids. Without this blood supply, the fibroids shrink and then die.
• UAE will be done in both your left and right uterine arteries, using only one incision (cut). If needed, multiple fibroids can be treated.

Why the Procedure Is Performed:

UAE is an effective way to treat symptoms caused by fibroids.

• Symptoms may include bleeding, low blood count, pelvic pain or pressure, waking up at night to urinate, and constipation.
• Treatment of the fibroids with medications or hormones will almost always have been tried before you have this procedure.
• Sometimes women have UAE after childbirth to treat very heavy vaginal bleeding.