• Infusion of particles into fibroid

Uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE, is a routine alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. Many women do not wish to lose their uterus, or do not want the longer recovery from surgery. Yet many of these women suffer the symptoms of uterine fibroids such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pain or suffer from looking or feeling pregnant because of an increase in size of the uterus caused by the fibroids. For these women, UFE can be the right choice.

The procedure is very similar to a heart catheterization, except it is the uterus that is catheterized, with a small tube entering the groin area or wrist artery and advanced into the uterus using x-rays. When the catheter is placed into the artery that feeds the fibroids, thousands of tiny particles are injected through the catheter into the artery to the fibroids, causing the artery flow to the fibroids to be disrupted. This destroys the fibroids, while preserving the uterus. This is all accomplished using a quarter inch incision in the hip or wrist area. Almost all women are back to normal activities in less than one week.

• Different types of fibroids

In around 90% of women treated with UFE, the symptoms of pain and bleeding resolve to normal levels such that no additional treatment of the fibroids in necessary. The fibroids shrink over time to around one half their original size.

We believe it is very important to talk to your Ob/Gyn doctor about this alternative to hysterectomy. Almost all of our UFE procedures are recommended by the patient's gynecologist. If you do not have a gynecologist, we can discuss your fibroid issues in clinic, and get you to a gynecologist for a thorough evaluation. The American College of Gynecology has recommended UFE as a Level 1 alternative to hysterectomy.

Drs. Yokley, Johnson and Ram have extensive experience with UFE, having a combined experience of more than 30 years and treating hundreds of women with this condition.

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) - Hysterectomy Alternative

• What to Expect During a Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedure - Miami Interventional Radiologist

• Uterine Fibroid Embolization Patient Satisfaction - Miami Interventional Radiologist