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Obstetric embolotherapy: effect on menses and pregnancy
A Stancato-Pasik1, H A Mitty, H M Richard
1Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Radiology
|September 1, 1997
Summary
Uterine artery embolization using gelatin sponge effectively treats obstetric hemorrhage, with most women experiencing normal menses and preserved fertility. This safe procedure supports future reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Obstetric hemorrhage remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity.
- Uterine artery embolization is an alternative to hysterectomy for managing postpartum hemorrhage.
- Gelatin sponge pledgets are a common embolic agent used in vascular interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term impact of uterine embolotherapy with gelatin sponge on menstrual function.
- To assess the fertility outcomes in women who underwent uterine embolization for obstetric hemorrhage.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 17 women (aged 20-44) with obstetric hemorrhage underwent selective uterine vessel embolization using gelatin sponge pledgets.
- Gynecologic follow-up data were collected from 12 women who did not undergo hysterectomy via direct communication or physician records.
- The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 years.
Main Results:
- Normal menses resumed within 2-5 months in 11 (92%) of 12 evaluated women.
- No complications were reported directly related to the embolotherapy procedure.
- Three women desiring conception successfully delivered full-term, healthy newborns; one patient's status remains undetermined.
Conclusions:
- Selective uterine artery embolization with gelatin sponge is a safe and effective treatment for pregnancy-related hemorrhage.
- The procedure is associated with a high likelihood of return to normal menstruation.
- Uterine embolotherapy with gelatin sponge does not appear to adversely affect fertility in women desiring future pregnancies.