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Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Off late, foreign patients all across the globe fly for best price Uterine Fibroid Embolization performed by world class surgeons in India. The quality of hospital service delivery during Uterine Fibroid Embolization in India and the qualification of doctors is a prime consideration while choosing the destination for your elective procedure. In India, you get the best of both these things. Indian doctors are highly qualified and the Indian medical education system ensures that even a fresh graduate doctor would have a very clear and substantial understanding of the subject. In addition to this, is the general nature of Indians - caring, soft-spoken and attentive? This is reflected in the Uterine Fibroid Embolization surgeons in India. Today Indian surgeons and doctors are found in almost all parts of the world and they are contributing greatly to the Uterine Fibroid Embolization in India.

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for fibroid tumors of the uterus. The procedure is also sometimes referred to as Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), but this term is less specific. UAE is used for conditions other than fibroids. Fibroid tumors, also known as Myomas, are benign tumors that arise from the muscular wall of the uterus.  It is extremely rare for them to turn cancerous. More commonly, they cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain in the pelvic region, and pressure on the bladder or bowel. In a Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure, physicians use an x-ray camera called a fluoroscope to guide the delivery of small particles to the uterus and fibroids. The small particles are injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. These block the arteries that provide blood flow, causing the fibroids to shrink. Nearly 90 percent of women with fibroids experience relief of their symptoms.

Because the effect of Uterine Fibroid Embolization on fertility is not fully understood, UFE is typically offered to women who no longer wish to become pregnant or who want or need to avoid having a hysterectomy, which is the operation to remove the uterus.

The Procedure of Uterine Fibroid Embolization

The procedure of Uterine Fibroid Embolization is usually done in the hospital with an overnight stay after the procedure. The patient is sedated and very sleepy during the procedure. The uterine arteries are most easily accessed from the femoral artery, which is at the crease at the top of the leg as shown in the figure. Initially, a needle is used to enter the artery to provide access for the catheter. Local anesthesia is used, so the needle puncture is not painful. The catheter is advanced over the branch of the aorta and into the uterine artery on the side opposite the puncture. A second arterial catheter is then placed from the opposite femoral artery to the other uterine artery. Before the Uterine Fibroid Embolization is started, an arteriogram (x-ray) is performed to provide a road map of the blood supply to the uterus and fibroids.

After the arteriogram, particles of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are injected slowly with X-ray guidance.  These particles are about the size as grains of sand. Because fibroids are very vascular, the particles flow to the fibroids first. The particles wedge in the vessels and cannot travel to any other parts of the body. Over several minutes the arteries are slowly blocked. The Uterine Fibroid Embolization is continued until there is nearly complete blockage of flow in the vessel. Once one side is completed, the other side is embolized. After the embolization, another arteriogram is performed to confirm the completion of the procedure. Arterial flow will still be present to some extent to the normal portions of the uterus, but flow to the fibroids is blocked. The procedure of Uterine Fibroid Embolization takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

What will you experience during the Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure?

Most patients having Uterine Fibroid Embolization remain overnight in the hospital for pain control and observation. Patients typically experience pelvic cramps for several days after Uterine Fibroid Embolization, and possibly mild nausea and low-grade fever as well. The cramps are most severe during the first 24 hours after the procedure, and improve rapidly over the next several days. While in the hospital, the discomfort usually is well controlled with a narcotic pump, which dispenses intravenous pain medication. Oral pain medication will be provided when you are discharged home the following day. Most patients will recover from the effects of the procedure within one to two weeks after Uterine Fibroid Embolization, and will be able to return to their normal activities. It usually takes two to three months for the fibroids to shrink enough so that bulk-related symptoms such as pain and pressure improve. It is common for heavy bleeding to improve during the first menstrual cycle following the procedure. Most women are able to return to work one to two weeks Uterine Fibroid Embolization, but occasionally patients take longer to recover fully.

Benefits Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Minimally invasive: Uterine Fibroid Embolization is less invasive than either open surgery to remove fibroid tumors, or surgically removing the uterus itself. Patients ordinarily can resume their usual activities weeks earlier than if they had a hysterectomy. Blood loss during Uterine Fibroid Embolization is minimal, the recovery time is much shorter than for hysterectomy, and general anesthesia is not required. 

• Relief of symptoms: Follow-up studies have shown that approximately 85 percent of women who have their fibroids treated by Uterine Fibroid Embolization experience either significant reduction or complete resolution of their fibroid-related symptoms. This is true both for women with heavy bleeding, and for those with bulk-related symptoms such as pelvic pain or pressure. Overall, fibroids will shrink to half their original size six months after Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

• Durable effect: Follow-up studies lasting several years have shown that it is rare for treated fibroids to re-grow or for new fibroids to develop after Uterine Fibroid Embolization. This is because all fibroids present in the uterus, even small early-stage masses that may be too small to see on imaging studies, are treated during the procedure. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a more permanent solution than another option, hormone therapy, because when hormonal treatment is stopped the fibroid tumors usually grow back.

There are plentiful advantages of traveling to India for Uterine Fibroid Embolization surgery & some of them are:

• India has internationally accredited medical facilities using the latest technologies for Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

• Highly qualified Physicians/Surgeons and hospital support staff.

• Significant cost savings compared to domestic private healthcare. Medical treatment costs in India are lower by at least 60-80% when compared to similar procedures in North America and the UK.

• No Wait Lists for Uterine Fibroid Embolization or any medical treatment

• Fluent English speaking staff

• Options for private room, translator, private chef, dedicated staff during your stay and many other tailor-made services.