The endovascular intervention for treating uterine fibroids is an advanced minimally invasive method with several advantages. It is effective, causes less pain, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery. Since it is a non-surgical procedure, it helps preserve the functions of the uterus, allowing women of childbearing age to conceive safely.

Uterine Fibroid Embolisation: A Non-Surgical Treatment Option

Ms H.T.M.T., a 48-year-old from Tay Ninh, experienced prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding and constipation. During a health checkup at FV Hospital, doctors discovered that Ms T. had a 9cm uterine fibroid and recommended surgery to remove it to prevent further growth and complications.

However, concerned about the pain of surgery, Ms T. sought a less invasive treatment option. The doctors at FV Hospital introduced her to the uterine artery embolization (UAE), a procedure that treats uterine fibroids by blocking their blood supply. This causes the fibroid to shrink naturally, eliminating the need for surgery.

The procedure takes place in the Cathlab with the assistance of a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). The doctor threads a catheter from the femoral artery to the blood vessels supplying the fibroid. A special substance is then injected to block the arteries in the uterus, cutting off the fibroid’s blood supply. This technique does not require general anaesthesia; only local anaesthesia is applied to the site where the catheter is inserted. The procedure lasts about one hour and is performed by Dr Huynh Huu Danh, Specialist Level I, a specialist in Imaging and Interventional Radiology at FV Hospital.

The patient recovered well after the procedure, experienced no pain and was discharged the following day. At her follow-up visit one week later, Ms T. reported that both her constipation and heavy bleeding had completely resolved.

“The large tumour compressed the patient’s bowel, causing constipation, and also made the patient prone to bleeding, leading to abnormal uterine bleeding. Therefore, after the embolization procedure, as the tumour shrinks and no longer causes compression, the symptoms will improve,” explained Dr Danh.

Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: When Can Embolisation Be Used?

According to Dr Huynh Huu Danh, embolisation is widely used to treat tumours with increased blood vessel growth, such as uterine fibroids, liver tumours, prostate tumours, and vascular malformations. “For uterine fibroids, this method is indicated in cases where the tumour is less than 10 cm in size and the patient presents clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, and vaginal bleeding,” Dr Danh said.

The primary goal of the embolisation procedure is to stop the tumour from growing and shrink it, enabling the patient to live with it without complications. This method offers several advantages: it is quick, non-surgical, minimally invasive, and preserves uterine function while effectively improving symptoms caused by uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are a common condition, affecting about 30% of women aged 30 and above. Studies indicate that their development is linked to increased oestrogen levels in the body. Although benign, if not detected and treated promptly, it can significantly impact health and quality of life, and fertility. Regular screenings are essential, especially for women of reproductive age, to ensure early detection and timely treatment, helping preserve uterine function and the ability to conceive.

At FV Hospital, the embolisation technique is performed using the DSA angiography system in an operating room that meets international infection control standards (JCI). FV’s medical team has extensive experience in performing neurointerventional and endovascular procedures. Among them, Dr Huynh Huu Danh is a specialists qualified to perform endovascular interventions for both adults and children.

Dr Danh considers endovascular intervention a high-tech, minimally invasive treatment method with significant advantages: it is safe, less painful, reduces complications, offers a quick recovery time, shortens hospital stays, and is more cost-effective than surgery. Notably, at FV Hospital, patients undergoing neurointerventional and endovascular procedures can apply for health insurance support, covering up to 50 million VND.

For more information on Neurointerventional radiology and Health Insurance policies at FV, contact us at 028 5411 3333 or visit us directly at 06 Nguyen Luong Bang, District 7, HCMC.