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 Interventional radiologist
Jeffrey Hilger, M.D. is one
of four physicians who
perform UFE at the
Washington Hospital.
For more information,
please call the Washington
Hospital Interventional
Radiology Department at
724.223.3059.
Uterine Fibroid
Embolization
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the
muscular walls of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause
symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some
women, including pain and heavy bleeding.
Appropriate treatment depends on the size and location of the
fibroids, as well as the severity of symptoms. Drug therapy is often the
first step in treatment. If fibroids do not respond to drug therapy, other
treatment options include hysterectomy or uterine fibroid embolization
(UFE). UFE is a minimally invasive procedure performed while the
patient is conscious but sedated.
For most women affected by fibroids, it’s a matter of lifestyle. They
are usually in their 40s, very active, and want to stop dealing with the
heavy periods and the pain. And for women who do not want to have a
hysterectomy, UFE is an excellent alternative.
Patients must first get a pelvic MRI to ensure that fibroid tumors
are the cause of symptoms and to fully assess the size, number and
location of the fibroids. The interventional radiologist also works
closely with the patient’s gynecologist for pre- and post-op care.
Here’s how UFE works. The interventional radiologist makes a
small nick in the skin in the groin and inserts a catheter into an artery.
Using a moving X-ray, the interventional radiologist guides the
catheter through the artery to the uterus. Tiny synthetic particles –
about the size of grains of sand – are injected into the artery that is
supplying blood to the fibroid. This cuts off the blood flow and causes
the fibroid(s) to shrink. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Patients are kept in the hospital overnight for observation, and
most go home the morning after the procedure. Most women
experience moderate to severe pain and cramping in the first several
hours after the procedure. The discomfort is controlled by pain
medication delivered through an IV.
Once home, most women resume light activities in a few days and
are able to return to normal activities within one week.
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