Fertility after embolization of the uterine arteries to treat obstetrical hemorrhage: a review of 53 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To study subsequent fertility of patients who underwent embolization of the uterine arteries to treat postpartum hemorrhage.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study between January 2000 and June 2006 with two patient groups: exposed and nonexposed to embolization for postpartum hemorrhage.


METHODS
Level 3 maternity unit.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients exposed to embolization and 106 nonexposed patients were included and paired according to several criteria: date of delivery, age, parity, whether the pregnancy was spontaneous or with fertility assistance, and mode of delivery.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Occurence of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Among patients exposed to embolization, 14 had been exposed to pregnancy and 12 had been pregnant. There was no statistically significant difference of occurrence of pregnancy between the nonembolized and embolized groups (P=.30).


CONCLUSIONS
According to the results, it seems that embolization does not alter subsequent fertility. This study nevertheless suggests a trend toward fewer pregnancies in the embolization group and reports three severe complications in that group. This trend deserves to be explored by further studies with higher statistical power. However, even if it would be difficult to provide complete reassurance to patients who have undergone embolization, better information regarding their subsequent fertility and potential risks could relieve them of their worries regarding a new pregnancy.
Hardeman
Stéphanie
S
Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Mère-Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges, Limoges, France. shardeman@aliceadsl.fr
Decroisette
Emmanuel
E
Marin
Benoit
B
Vincelot
Anne
A
Aubard
Yves
Y
Pouquet
Magali
M
Maubon
Antoine
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult