title: Uterine artery embolization versus myomectomy: a multicenter comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether there is significant quality of life score improvement after uterine artery embolization (UAE) and to compare UAE and myomectomy outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen medical centers in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-nine UAE patients and 60 myomectomy patients. Patients were assigned to myomectomy or UAE on the basis of a best treatment decision made by the patient and her physician. All patients were observed for 6 months. The UAE patients also had follow-up examinations at 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Myomectomy or UAE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quality of life score changes, menstrual bleeding score changes, uterine size differences, time off, and adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in the uterine fibroid quality of life score, menstrual bleeding, uterine volume, and overall postoperative quality of life. The mean hospital stay was 1 day for the UAE patients, compared with 2.5 days for the myomectomy patients. The UAE and myomectomy patients returned to their normal activities in 15 days and 44 days, respectively, and returned to work in 10 days and 37 days, respectively. At least one adverse event occurred in 40.1% of the myomectomy patients, compared with 22.1% in the UAE group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The uterine fibroid quality of life score was significantly improved in both groups. No significant differences were observed in bleeding improvement, uterine volume reduction, uterine fibroid quality of life score improvement, and overall quality of life score improvement between groups. Patients receiving UAE required fewer days off work, fewer hospital days, and experienced fewer adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, The University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA. scott.goodwin@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: Linda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lipman
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nosher
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sterling
authors.forename: Merle H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Gary P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Siskin
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Shlansky-Goldberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay; D009215:Myometrium / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018582:Sick Leave; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology