Uterine Artery Embolization vs. Surgery for Fibroids: Which Is Better in the Long Run?

The less-invasive nature of UAE must be weighed against the higher rate of subsequent retreatment by 5 years.

The safety and short-term efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids have been established, but how does long-term efficacy of UAE compare with that of surgery? To address this question, investigators examined 5-year outcomes in a multicenter randomized U.K. trial initiated in 2000 in which 106 women (age ≥18) underwent UAE and 51 underwent surgery (hysterectomy, 42; myomectomy, 9) for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Five-year follow-up data were available for 96 UAE recipients and 48 surgery recipients. No significant differences were found between the two groups for any quality-of-life measure on the Short Form General Health Survey (SF-36). Fully 90% of women in the UAE group and 87% of those…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Uterine Artery Embolization vs. Surgery for Fibroids: Which Is Better in the Long Run?

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Reviewing Author