Authors' objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of uterine artery embolization in the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyoma.

Authors' recommendations: The adoption of embolization therapy should take the patient’s preferences into consideration, provided she is informed of the possibility of future pregnancy and her intention to preserve the uterus is made clear, when the alternative is hysterectomy. Costs are apparently lower, with shorter length of hospital stay. A shorter period of postoperative functional limitation and lower risk of more serious complications were demonstrated after embolization when compared to hysterectomy. There are risks of necrosis of the uterus and of different tissues of the reproductive tract, as well as septic shock, in embolization, but they are yet to be determined. Due to the number of publications available and the enthusiasm of the supporters of this new technique, there is an urgent need for controlled studies of an appropriate methodological quality.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/pdf/uterine_artery_embolization_for_myomas.pdf

Year Published: 2005

URL for published report: http://portal2.saude.gov.br/rebrats/visao/estudo/detEstudo.cfm?codigo=305&evento=6&v=true

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Brazil

Organisation Name: Coordenação-Geral de Fomento à Pesquisa e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia

Contact Address: Ministerio da Saude, Secretaria de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Insumos Estrategicos, Departamento de Ciencia e Tecnologia, Esplanada dos Ministerios, Edificio sede; bl "G" - 8 andar - SL 834, CEP: 70058-900, Brasilia, DF Brazil, Tel: +55 61 3315 3197 Fax: +55 61 3315 3850

Contact Name: suzanne.jacob@saude.gov.br

Contact Email: suzanne.jacob@saude.gov.br

Copyright: Department of Science and Technology - Brazilian Health Technology Assessment General Coordination (DECIT-CGATS)