Uterine artery occlusion for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids: endoscopic, radiological and vaginal approach.
Uterine fibroids are the most common solid pelvic tumors in women. Although many fibroids seem to cause no symptoms, for some women they can have serious adverse effects and impact on quality of life. Common symptoms associated with fibroids include abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure and reproductive dysfunction. The past decade has witnessed highly sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic technology for fibroids. The tools currently at our disposal permit greater management flexibility, which must be tailored to the individual clinical situation. Nonsurgical treatments include medical therapy and treatments interfering with the blood supply to the uterus or the fibroid; among the latest introduced are uterine artery embolization performed by the interventional radiologist and laparoscopic uterine occlusion performed by the gynaecologist. Even simpler is the non-incision temporary uterine clamp directed with Doppler and placed in the side fornices in the vagina.
Istre
Olav
O
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Endoscopic Unit, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. post@oistre.com