A typical procedure lasts between 30 and 60 minutes

During the procedure, the interventional radiologist carefully identifies the arteries supplying the fibroids and then places a small catheter into them. He or she then slowly delivers small beads to the fibroids to cut off their blood supply. The fibroids then slowly shrink in size, significantly reducing or completely eliminating the symptoms.

During UFE Treatment a tiny tube called a catheter is inserted through the femoral artery at the top of the leg or into the radial artery accessed through the wrist. Patients receive mild sedation and a numbing agent to minimize the discomfort.

The catheter is then guided into the left or right uterine artery and an arteriogram (an imaging test that uses x-ray and a special dye to see inside the arteries) is done to map the arteries feeding the fibroids.

The tiny embolic particles each measuring about the same size as a grain of sand, are injected through the catheter and into the blood vessels that feed the fibroids, cutting off their blood supply.

Fibroids are treated from both the left and right uterine arteries so that the blood flow feeding the fibroids is completely blocked.

With their blood flow blocked, the fibroids begin to shrink, but the uterus and ovaries are spared.

Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with the interventional radiologist where the entire procedure will be discussed in detail. Also, an MRI is typically obtained to better visualize all of the fibroids.

Our patients will go home the same day or the next day. Those who stay overnight will have nurses help them with any symptom relief. Most women feel ready to return to usual activities including work within a few days. We would prescribe pain control medications which you can reduce as you return to normal. The main symptom after the procedure is crampy pelvic pain. This is alleviated with a robust regimen of pain medications before, during, and after the procedure. Low grade fever and nausea may also occur after the procedure.

Almost all insurance companies cover this procedure. Our office does a pre-authorization for you.

Yes, our doctors are uniquely trained in doing this procedure from the wrist (as well as the groin). The benefits include a lesser risk of bleeding, no need to keep your leg straight after the procedure (allowing immediate ambulation), and in many cases, a quicker procedure.

During the procedure, contrast is injected into the arteries to delineate the anatomy. Here, a catheter inserted from a small incision in the left wrist is injected, demonstrating filling of the left uterine artery (on the right side of the image), which is supplying a large fibroid. Small particles are then delivered through the catheter, directly decreasing blood flow to the fibroid(s), causing them to shrink in size. Particles were subsequently injected from the right uterine artery as well. The entire procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

Yes, although not as effective as treating fibroids, this procedure has also been shown to be beneficial in patients suffering from uterine adenomyosis. In many cases, it can be a reasonable alternative to a hysterectomy.

• Same day or single night procedure
• Shorter recovery time
• Quick relief of symptoms
• Unlikely to cause menopause
• Preserves the uterus
• No incisions, stitches or scars
• Fibroid treatment options

After hysterectomy women have nearly twice the risk of ovarian failure which can lead to symptoms of menopause. If the ovaries are also removed during surgery, women will enter menopause. While a woman in her 50’s may not mind entering menopause, younger women may not be ready to enter this stage of life. UFE patients can have their menstrual cycles restored and maintained with a far less likelihood of the onset of menopause.