Pregnancy after uterine fibroid embolization: follow-up of 100 patients embolized using tris-acryl gelatin microspheres.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate pregnancies in women who had previously undergone uterine fibroid embolization.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A city hospital in Spain.


METHODS
A cohort of 100 uterine fibroid embolization patients, 57 of whom wished to preserve their fertility.


METHODS
Uterine arteries were embolized by using 500-1,200 microm tris-acryl gelatin microspheres. After intervention, patient follow-up was performed at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and yearly.


METHODS
The number of pregnancies and course of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Eleven pregnancies in 10 women (19.2%). The pregnancies resulted in 8 live births, including 4 normal and 4 cesarean deliveries. Early miscarriage occurred in 3 cases (2 patients). None of the 8 newborns was a low-birth weight infant, and gestation lasted >or=37 weeks in all the patients, except for 1 case of a macrosomic fetus delivered at 33 weeks. There were no cases of abnormal placental implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the small sample size, uterine artery embolization appears to be viable in young women who still want to become pregnant. Larger series and studies comparing uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy are needed.
Pinto Pabón
Isabel
I
Department of Interventional Radiology, Hospital de Madrid, Montepríncipe, Madrid, Spain. pintopabon@mi.madritel.es
Magret
Javier Porras
JP
Unzurrunzaga
Elena Ayerbe
EA
García
Isidro Millán
IM
Catalán
Isidoro Bruna
IB
Cano Vieco
M Luisa
ML
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005780:Gelatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D050498:Live Birth; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C496735:trisacryl gelatin microspheres; D005780:Gelatin