Inflammatory response in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization as compared to patients undergoing conventional hysterectomy.
BACKGROUND
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors seen in 20-40% of women of childbearing age, and these fibroids are usually treated by hysterectomy. During the last decade, embolization of the uterine arteries with polyvinyl alcohol microparticles has become an alternative treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether uterine artery embolization generates a reduced inflammatory response as compared with conventional hysterectomy.


METHODS
40 women, 20 in each group, entered this prospective, non-randomized study. The two groups were comparable concerning age, comorbidity, and body-mass index (BMI).


RESULTS
We found a significant difference between the inflammatory responses in women undergoing embolization compared with the inflammatory response in women having an abdominal hysterectomy. Women undergoing embolization were subjected to a much smaller inflammatory burden, their total morphine consumption was lower, and their return to work was faster than women subjected to conventional hysterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine artery embolization generates a reduced inflammatory response compared with conventional hysterectomy.
Brøchner
A C
AC
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. annecrbr@hotmail.com
Mygil
B
B
Elle
B
B
Toft
P
P
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007249:Inflammation; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor