Removing fibroids made easier by Embolisation

Fibroids are the most common tumours in a woman's reproductive system. Uterine fibroids, also known as Rasauli (in Hindi) are tumours that grow in the uterus (womb). They are benign, i.e. not cancerous, and are made up of muscle fibre. Fibroids can be as small as a pea and can grow as large as a melon. It is estimated that 20-50 per cent of women have or will have, fibroids at some time of their lives. They are rare in women under the age of 20, most common in women in their 30s and 40s, and tend to shrink after menopause. Treatment is utmost necessary, in which many have to go through emotional, physical and financial trauma of hysterectomy i.e. removal of uterus.

Removal of uterus? 

Removal of uterus is one thing no one wants to go through. It is not only a full stop to menses, but it gives great deal of emotional trauma. Vagina becomes dry and also, many infections take place. Uterus removal is a painstaking task, both, physically and mentally, affecting your relationship with your spouse.The good news is, now women suffering from fibroids don't have to go through surgery. There is a carefree method that will eradicate the tension of a surgery. Dr Pradeep Muley, MD Head and Senior Consultant Interventional Radiologist, Batra Hospital discusses some points on fibroid treatment that doesn't require surgery.

What is fibroid Embolisation? 

It is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin. It is performed while the patient is conscious but sedated — drowsy and feeling no pain. Fibroid Embolisation is performed by an interventional radiologist, a physician who is specially trained to perform this. The radiologist makes a small nick in the skin in the groin and inserts a catheter into an artery. The catheter is guided through the artery to the uterus while the interventional radiologist guides the progress of the procedure using a moving X-ray. He injects tiny plastic particles like the size of grains of sand into the artery that is supplying blood to the fibroid tumour. This cuts off the blood flow and causes the tumour to shrink. The artery on the other side of the uterus is then treated.

While Embolisation to treat uterine fibroids has been performed since 1995, Embolisation of the uterus is not new. It has been used successfully by interventional radiologist for over 20 years to treat heavy bleeding after childbirth. Uterine fibroid Embolisation involves virtually no blood loss or risk of blood transfusion. Majority of women are able to return to normal activities within a week. Studies show that 78 to 94 per cent of women who have gone through the procedure experience significant or total relief of heavy bleeding and pain. The procedure also is effective for multiple fibroids. So, don't worry if you have fibroids, now you know what to do, tackling everything without going through and emotional trauma.  You can have fibroid if you suffer fromo  Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual bleeding, sometimes with clots. This might lead to anaemia. 

• Lower abdomen, back or leg pain. 
• Lower abdomen pressure or heaviness. 
• Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate. 
• Pressure on bowel, leading to constipation and bloating. 
• Abnormally enlarged abdomen.

Benefits of fibroid Embolisation

• It is performed under  local anaesthesia. 
• Requires only a tiny nick in the skin (No surgical incision of abdomen).
• Recovery is shorter from hysterectomy or open myomectomy. Within three days patient can recover.
• Virtually no adhesion  formation has been  found. But in surgery  adhesions are common.
• All fibroids are treated at once, which is not the case with myomectomy.
• There has been no observed recurrent  growth of treated fibroids in the past nine years.
• Less pain.
• No surgical scar.
• Performed at outpatient (OPD)/ day care.