The clinical application of uterine arterial embolization with dextran microspheres in treating uterine leiomyomas

Objective To prospectively investigate the clinical application of bilateral uterine arterial embolization with dextran microspheres in treating uterine leiomyomas.Methods A total of 60 patients with uterine leiomyomas,encountered in the authors' hospital during the period from Jan.2003 to Dec.2010,were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into study group and control group with 30 cases in each group.Patients in the study group received bilateral uterine artery embolization by using dextran microspheres(Sephadex,G-50,100-300 μm) as embolic agents,while patients in control group received bilateral uterine artery embolization by using KMG(500-700 μm) as embolic agents.Before and after the treatment,all patients were kept under observation for the menstrual flow,the size of the uterine and the leiomyoma and the changes in sex hormone level.The hospitalization costs were recorded.The results were compared between the two groups.Results The technical success rate of catheterization and embolization procedure was 100% in both groups.After the therapy,the volumes of both the uterine and the leiomyoma were significantly decreased,but no significant difference in the size reduction existed between the two groups(both P 0.05).The clinical symptoms were markedly improved in all patients.The sex hormone level showed no obvious changes.No serious complications occurred.The hospitalization cost of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P 0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of uterine leiomyomas,uterine artery embolization with dextran microspheres is very effective and safe.Moreover,the hospitalization cost is lower.Therefore,it is of value to use this technique in clinical practice.