MINT Hospital

Uterine Fibroid Embolization: Uterine fibroid embolization: Accredited as 'Level A’ treatment by ACOG
(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) in 2008

What is uterine fibroid embolization?

Non-surgical treatment that blocks nutritional supply (artery) to uterine the fibroid

Intravascular treatment
with minimal incision

It is an interventional (intravascular) treatment that approaches into the artery through a small opening of 2mm in the groin.
Whole treatment process is performed under real time monitoring of the uterus and surrounding blood vessels through angiography
(X-ray combined with contrast injection)
Uterus-preserving treatment
hat only kills fibroid

It is a non-surgical treatment that induce necrosis by blocking artery to the myoma with a catheter
The uterus can be preserved and more natural treatment is possible sinces it does not physically resect the fibroid but induces necrosis by blocking the nutrient supplying channel(artery).

Advantage

Uterine Fibroid Embolization - minimally invasive,
performed under local anesthesia

Preserves uterus
without any damage
Multiple fibroids
treated in one single
procedure
Large fibroids over 10 cm
treated in one single
procedure
Minimaly invasive
treatment with 2mm
fine incision
Procedure duration
30min~ 1 hour
Hospitalization 2~3 days
Full recovery 7 days

A
Level

Approved effectiveness·safety!

“Level A” treatment approved by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Uterine fibroid embolization was designated as a "Level A" treatment by the American College of Ostetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG) in 2008.
'Level A' is the highest level designated to a treatment in the treatment evaluation system of evidence-based medicine.

Only after proving its efficacy through accumulating large amount of objective data in multiple randomized control trials (double-blind test)
can a treatment be designated as 'Level A’. In a study that followed-up for 3 years 1,278 patients who underwent uterine fibroid embolization, 100% complete treatment was confirmed in more than 90% of patients and 86% of the patients reported that they would willingly recommend this treatment to their friends

Treatment process

Before the treatment

Outpatient consultation/ Sonography

Initial evaluation of embolization appropriacy (Size·Location·Blood flow evaluation of uterine fibroid)
Full MRI test / Decision of procedure

Treatability (Fibroid necrosis) / Final evaluation / Treatment response prediction
Blood test etc./ Procedure reservation

Ovarian function evaluation (FSH test)

The day of procedure

Admission and procedure preparation

Measures for safe treatment (fasting, etc.)
Uterine fibroid embolization

The procedure takes about 30minutes~ 1 hour depending on the size of uterine fibroid
Hospitalization and rest after the procedure

Discharged the next day

After treatment

+

2-year guarantee

Uterus check-up at 1 week/ 3 months / 6 months / 1 year / 2 year (sonography or MRI)
+

Consistent follow-up by doctor

Your doctor will be personally participate in your consultation, test, and treatment, and be responsible of your uterine health for life with consistent follow-up.
+

Special uterus management program

We run a management program in collaboration with the Gynecology Center to prevent and treat various uterine diseased other than fibroids

Treatment result

Complete Remission Rate

89.8%

More than 90% of uterine fibroid showed necrosis (805 patients)

MRI test results
a fter Uterine fibroid
embolization
(among 896 patients in total)

Reference: Yonsei University Severance Hospital, MINT Radiology Clinic(currently MINT Hospital),
Gwangju Chumdan Hospital,Soon Chun Hyang University Gumi Hospital,
Sungkyunkwan University Samsung Changwon Hospital,
Ulsan University Seoul Asan Medical Center,Ajou University Hospital

Contrast-enhanced MRI Images

35 year-old female patient. Embolization of uterine fibroid enlarged after pregnancy

Before procedure

Large fibroid seen as a bright mass measuring 11 x 7 cm
After procedure (3 months)

Complete necrosis of fibroid seen as black and partial descent into cervix 3 months after procedure.
After procedure (8 month)

Fibroid no longer visible after expulsion through vagina

!MINT’NOTE

Most symptoms such as excessive menstrual bleeding(>90%), menstrual pain(77~79%), and pelvic pressure(88~92%) are relieved after embolization.
The necrotized fibroid shrinks to 40~50% of its original volume 1 year after embolization.
In submucosal myomas, as shown in the case above, 3~15% may undergo complete disconnection with the uterus and expulsion through the vagina.
At MINT Hospital we offer quick measures for those who undergo fibroid expulsion after embolization.

Treatment candidates

MINT Hospital only performs embolization only
if treatment is necessary and is expected to yield excellent results.

Indication
the widest coverage among
non-surgical treatment
- Most of uterine fibroid that induces symptoms (about 95%)
- Possible intraabdominal adhesion due to past surgeries
Consideration
the procedure is decided after sufficient
consultation with the patient
- Uterine fibroid larger than 10cm
- Submucosal fibroid larger than 6cm
Contraindication
- Pregnant
- Other pelvic disease
  (cancer, pelvic inflammation)
- Malignant tumor

Uterine fibroid embolization and pregnancy

Influence of uterine fibroid embolization on pregnancy
and MINT Hostpital’s treatment principle

Pregnancy case analysis
(94 cases)
after uterine fibroid
embolization

Both mother
and child were healthy

5 out of 6 who
planned for pregnancy
had normal delivery

Research paper by Prof. Kim, Man Deuk, Bundang Cha Hospital Diagnostic Radiology et.al (published on medical article CVIR in 2005)

+ See Original Article

In the medical field

There are many studies that report that uterine fibroid embolization does not affect pregnancy.
There are also studies reporting similar pregnancy rates after embolization and fibroid resection surgery. However more data is necessary for definite conclusions.
In medical society guidelines

as of 2014, the Society of Interventional Radiology recommends fibroid resection for those planning for pregnancy

At MINT Hospital

Based on scientific evidence and principles, we perform embolization according to the Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines,

1If you are planning for pregnancy, we recommend attempting normal pregnancy without treatment
2If you are being unsuccessful becoming pregnant, we recommend considering fibroid resection surgery.
3If fibroid resection surgery is not feasible due to size and location of fibroids, we suggest uterine fibroid embolization.

Uterine fibroid embolization and pregnancy

Cited from NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine), January edition, 2007

Uterine fibroid embolization Non-surgical treatment that blocks artery to uterine fibroid with embolization agent and induces its necrosis	Treatment	Hysterectomy Surgical removal of uterus if the entire uterus is affected or has indistinct margin between normal uterus tissue and lesion
Excellent	Symptom relief	Excellent
Excellent	Physical activity after treatment	Average
Excellent	return to social life	Average
Variable (20% : severe / 60% : moderate / 20% : mild)	Pain (24 hours)	Severe
1~3 days	Average hospitalization	5 days
6 days	Return to daily life	17 days
8 days	Return to driving	34 days
20 days	Return to work	62 days
21 days	Resume sexual activity	53 days

주요 서비스 메뉴

What is uterine fibroid embolization?

Advantage