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Uterine Artery Embolization and New Ablation Techniques

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Uterine Myoma, Myomectomy and Minimally Invasive Treatments

Abstract

Minimally invasive alternatives to major gynecological surgery for uterine fibroids are emerging. Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) was introduced in 1995 and has been evaluated and implemented ever since. Several randomized trials are available for this treatment, correctly placing it among all options for fibroid therapy. UAE proved to be a valuable alternative to hysterectomy or myomectomy and patients should be counseled on this option. When a patient desires future pregnancy, UAE is not the treatment of first choice.

Also several fibroid ablation techniques have been described: High-Intensity-Focused-Ultrasound (HIFU), bipolar ablation of fibroids, either through the cavity or by laparoscopic approach, are newer techniques with promising results. However, for these new treatments no randomized data are available yet. Therefore, these new ablation techniques should be regarded as experimental treatments.

This chapter will describe these new techniques, their indications and the evidence available on their efficacy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Wouter J. K. Hehenkamp MD, PhD, Judith A. F. Huirne MD, PhD & Hans A. M. Brölmann MD, PhD

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  1. Wouter J. K. Hehenkamp MD, PhD
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  2. Judith A. F. Huirne MD, PhD
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  3. Hans A. M. Brölmann MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Wouter J. K. Hehenkamp MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecology and Obstetric, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Lecce, Lecce, Italy

    Andrea Tinelli

  2. Obstetric and Gynecology, Santa Maria Hospital, Bari, Italy

    Antonio Malvasi

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Hehenkamp, W.J.K., Huirne, J.A.F., Brölmann, H.A.M. (2015). Uterine Artery Embolization and New Ablation Techniques. In: Tinelli, A., Malvasi, A. (eds) Uterine Myoma, Myomectomy and Minimally Invasive Treatments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10305-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10305-1_10

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