Pinhole procedure changing women’s lives
Each year, thousands of Australian women undergo invasive and life-altering hysterectomies to treat debilitating pain and blood loss caused by uterine fibroids. But there’s another option: a very safe, pin-hole procedure that cures the symptoms, yet leaves the uterus intact.
It’s offered by Interventional Radiologists at The Alfred, and they want more women to know about it. The procedure, known as uterine artery embolisation (UAE), can effectively treat the majority of bleeding uterine fibroids. But in Australia in the last five years, an estimated 6066 women per year have undergone hysterectomies to treat fibroid-related diseases, while just 145 women each year have undergone a UAE.
Professor Warren Clements, interventional radiologist and head of the UAE service at The Alfred, said despite the proven safety and efficacy of the procedure – which was developed in the 1990s – it is simply not provided as an option to many women, something he urgently wants to change.
“Fibroids are highly prevalent in society and women need access to a range of different treatments so that they can choose what is the best for them,” Prof Clements said.
“Every year, many women have a hysterectomy who would be suitable for a non-surgical alternative. UAE is an amazing non-surgical treatment and allows women to keep their uterus if they want to.”
The procedure is all done through a single pinhole incision, whereas a hysterectomy requires open surgery. It involves using low-dose x-rays and contrast dye to guide catheters through the arteries towards fibroids in the uterus. A medication is used to block the blood supply to the fibroids, which causes them to shrink. The procedure takes about half an hour, is done under ‘twilight’ sedation, and only requires one overnight recovery stay.
”Many women aren’t aware that this is a very minor procedure compared to hysterectomy,” Prof Clements said.
“Women can resume normal activities the following day. The recovery is short, and most women can go back to work within a week. More than 90 per cent of women with heavy periods will have significant improvement in their symptoms after UAE.”
Anyone wanting to know more should discuss their condition with their GP or gynaecologist, who will be able to provide a referral to The Alfred if required. This procedure is available in other states in Australia. Please speak to your GP or gynaecologist if you'd like to know if it's available to you.
