Uterine Fibroid Embolization: Less Invasive Alternative to Surgery

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure that is growing in popularity as a safe and effective alternative to myomectomy or hysterectomy. 

As one of an increasing number of minimally invasive procedures performed by interventional radiologists, radiographic guidance is used to perform UFE without the need for open surgery, general anesthesia, prolonged hospital stay or a long recovery time at home.  In fact, after UFE most women are back to their routine activities of daily living in less than one week. 

Our technique utilizes FDA-approved gelatinous beads (EmboSpheres) to occlude both the right and the left uterine arteries and infarct all fibroids and resulting in shrinkage of the tumors over time.  During the next few months after the procedure, clinical symptoms improve and shrinkage of the tumors is confirmed by follow-up MRI.  90% of all UFE patients describe complete relief of their previous symptoms.

Through the internet and other sources, many women now realize there is a true minimally invasive alternative to surgery for symptomatic fibroids.  Some women directly seek out their local interventional radiologist performing these procedures while others are referred by their gynecologist.  Most women know they have fibroids from previous pelvic ultrasound exams.  However, since fibroids are highly variable, particularly after UFE treatment, an MRI exam of the pelvis is required prior to the procedure.  MRI is now the gold standard for evaluating the size, number and location of fibroids both pre- and post-procedure. 

Further information can be obtained through the national UFE website Ask4UFE or by calling us at 813-870-4919. 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is performed by SDI's specially trained Interventional Radiologists in the Radiology Department at St. Joseph's Hospital.