title: Abdominal myomectomy versus uterine fibroid embolization in the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare treatment efficacy and complications of abdominal myomectomy with those of uterine fibroid embolization in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the outcomes of 111 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy (n = 44) or fibroid embolization (n = 67) over a 30-month period. The mean ages of the two groups were 37.7 years (range, 28-48 years) and 44.2 years (range, 31-56 years), respectively. A questionnaire and review of medical records assessed all procedure-related complications and changes in symptoms. Length of hospital stay, time until resumption of daily activities, and pain medication requirements after the procedure were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up times for the myomectomy and embolization groups were 14.6 and 14.3 months, respectively. The respective observed success rates in abdominal myomectomy and uterine fibroid embolization patients were 64% versus 92% for menorrhagia (p < 0.05), 54% versus 74% for pain (not significant), and 91% versus 76% for mass effect (p < 0.05). The complication rates were 25% (abdominal myomectomy) and 11% (uterine fibroid embolization) (p < 0.05). The respective secondary end points for the two procedures were 2.9 versus 0 days mean hospital stay, 8.7 versus 5.1 days of narcotics use, and 36 versus 8 days until resumption of normal activities. These differences were all statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uterine fibroid embolization is a less invasive and safer treatment option in women with symptomatic leiomyomas than myomectomy. Menorrhagia may be better controlled with embolization, and myomectomy may be a better option in patients with mass effect. Both procedures were equally effective in controlling pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, H-3651, Stanford University Vascular Center, 300 Pasteur Dr., CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Mahmood K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Razavi
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Ayda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jahed
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Modanlou
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Modanloo
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*