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Uterine Artery Embolization versus Myomectomy: Impact on Quality of Life—Results of the FUME (Fibroids of the Uterus: Myomectomy versus Embolization) Trial

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to compare quality of life (QoL) outcomes after uterine artery embolization (UAE) or myomectomy.

Methods

Women with symptomatic fibroids diagnosed by ultrasound who wished to preserve their uterus were randomized to myomectomy (n = 81) or UAE (n = 82). Endpoints at 1 year were QoL measured by a validated questionnaire, hospital stay, rates of complications, and need for reintervention.

Results

UAE patients had shorter hospitalization (2 vs. 6 days, p < 0.001). By 1 year postintervention, significant and equal improvements in QoL scores had occurred in both groups (myomectomy n = 59; UAE n = 61). There had been two (2.9%) major complications among UAE versus 6 (8%) among myomectomy patients (not significant). By 2 years, among UAE patients (n = 57) there were eight (14.0%) reinterventions for inadequate symptom control compared with one (2.7%) among myomectomy patients (n = 37). Half of the women who required hysterectomy had concomitant adenomyosis missed by US.

Conclusions

UAE and myomectomy both result in significant and equal improvements in QoL. UAE allows a shorter hospital stay and fewer major complications but with a higher rate of reintervention.

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Acknowledgments

This study did not receive official funding but was supported by soft funds. The authors thank all the women who participated in this trial.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology, St. George’s Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 0QT, UK

    Isaac T. Manyonda, Nassera Banu & Maha Gorti

  2. Department of Radiology, St. George’s Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 0QT, UK

    Mark Bratby & Anna-Maria Belli

  3. University of Sussex, School of Psychology, Pevensey 1, Room 1C9, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QH, UK

    Jessica S. Horst

Authors
  1. Isaac T. Manyonda
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  2. Mark Bratby
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  3. Jessica S. Horst
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  4. Nassera Banu
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  5. Maha Gorti
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  6. Anna-Maria Belli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isaac T. Manyonda.

Additional information

This study was approved by the Wandsworth Research Ethics committee (Ref 01.96.3).

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Manyonda, I.T., Bratby, M., Horst, J.S. et al. Uterine Artery Embolization versus Myomectomy: Impact on Quality of Life—Results of the FUME (Fibroids of the Uterus: Myomectomy versus Embolization) Trial. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 35, 530–536 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0228-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-011-0228-5

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