Uterine Fibroids/ Uterine Fibroid Embolisation

On the day of the procedure, you will be admitted to a ward. A pregnancy test is routinely performed. It is routine to insert a bladder catheter before the procedure as you will be required to lie flat after the procedure for several hours. The procedure is carried out while you are awake although you may wish to receive some sedation if you feel anxious. The discomfort you will experience from a UFE procedure is similar to the pain you experience during your period and so all patients will have a drip set up attached to the back of your hand so that painkilling medication can be administered. A PCA (patient controlled analgesia) morphine pump will be attached to the drip after the procedure so that you are in complete control of your own pain relief.

At the start of your procedure, your Interventional Radiologist will administer local anaesthetic, a tiny skin puncture is made in the right groin or the wrist and a small tube ( vascular catheter) is guided into the blood vessel of the uterus using x-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance. Some contrast or dye is injected to outline the blood vessels and act as a roadmap and can make you feel warm all over. Tiny sterile plastic particles (polyvinyl alcohol) the size of grains of sand are injected into the blood vessel supplying the fibroid, cutting off the blood flow. The whole procedure takes about one hour. After spending one night in hospital, you will be discharge home the following afternoon.