title: Outpatient uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids: short- and long-term single institution-based outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the management of uterine fibroids, and to assess patient satisfaction with this procedure when performed on an outpatient basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred one patients who had undergone UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids in the past five years were interviewed over the telephone, using a standard uterine fibroid symptom and quality-of-life questionnaire. The severity of post-procedural pain, occurrence of adverse reactions, complications, need for subsequent hysterectomy or myomectomy, and overall patient satisfaction were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UAE resulted in a mean 39.1 point improvement in fibroid symptom scores and a mean rise of health-related quality of life score to 93.6, which is near normal. The mean pain score was highest (3.7/10) on the first night after the procedure. Ten patients returned to the hospital in the first 48 hours after UAE, but of these only one required admission because of sepsis. The only other major complication was spontaneous fibroid expulsion in one patient. Fourteen patients remained hypermenorrheic, 78 had regained normal or light menses, five reported spotting, and four became amenorrheic. Six patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy and one a subsequent myomectomy. Six patients found the procedure less than satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UAE is a safe, effective, and durable alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy in women with symptomatic fibroids who wish to avoid surgery. It can be performed safely on an outpatient basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Pasteur
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rasuli
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabri
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Gordon J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Ottawa Shirley E. Greenberg Women's Health Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gamache
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Ottawa Shirley E. Greenberg Women's Health Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Elaine E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Jolly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055988:Uterine Artery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*