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Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Uterine fibroids often occur during the reproductive years of a woman's life. A Fibroid clinic is a dedicated centre department that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of uterine fibroids. At Manipal Hospitals we are committed to providing exceptional care and support to women with this condition through minimally invasive procedures such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).
The Fibroid Clinic at Manipal Hospitals Bangalore is a dedicated clinic that aims to provide all-around care including the diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids. The clinic consists of a multidisciplinary team of healthcare experts, including Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, Interventional Radiologists, nurses, and support staff, who work together to provide personalized treatment plans for patients with fibroids, tailored to each patient's specific needs and preferences.
Manipal Hospitals has always been committed to delivering expert care to women's reproductive issues for over 25 years. With this dedicated Fibroid Clinic, we can improve the quality of life for our patients and help them achieve optimal health and well-being through state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapeutic modalities along with the expertise of gynaecologists and radiologists at Manipal Hospitals.
Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE) is the blocking of the arteries (blood vessels) that supply blood to the fibroids causing them to shrink in size or disappear. A specially trained doctor called a Radiologist performs this minimally invasive procedure in a screening room in the X-ray department. Your doctors will perform the necessary tests before recommending you this procedure. You can discuss any concerns you may have with your Gynaecologist and the Radiologist during consultations.
Every patient's situation is different, for a variety of reasons, however you can expect to be in the X-ray department for about 2 to 3 hours.
You cannot eat for 6 hours before the procedure but you may drink small amounts of clear fluid up to 2 hours before the procedure. Before you come to the x-ray department nursing staff will give you medication and you may have an intravenous drip.
A nurse will guide you to lie on your back on the x-ray table. They may give you sedatives or painkillers via a needle in your arm and monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, oxygen intake). You may be given oxygen support if needed. The radiologist will inject a local anaesthetic into the groin, make a small cut, and place a catheter in the artery which can help find the arteries supplying blood to the fibroids. X-rays are used for guidance during the procedure.
Tiny particles are injected into the arteries until the blood flow is stopped. Doctors then remove the catheter and apply pressure on the groin area for about 10 minutes to prevent bruising.
The procedure itself is relatively painless but most patients experience some moderate pain lasting up to 24 hours after the procedure. When you return to your ward, you will be given painkillers to relieve pain. If the painkillers cause nausea and/or vomiting, other medications will be provided. Many patients need bed rest only for a few hours. The nursing staff will monitor you and carry out routine observations (blood pressure, pulse, etc.). They will also monitor the puncture site to ensure there is no bleeding.
Most women are well enough to go home the following day, although pain may continue for a week, occasionally two. A mild discharge can occur for a few days or weeks after the procedure. However, you should be fit and return to work within a few weeks.
Early experience suggests Uterine Fibroid Embolisation is a safe procedure and serious complications are rare.
Pain is very common in the first 24 hours and can be severe but this can be controlled by painkillers.
There may be bruising in the groin area where the artery is punctured but this should settle after a few days.
Very rarely an infection may develop in the womb in the weeks after the procedure.
If you have a coil (IUCD) fitted, it is best to remove this before the procedure to remove the risk of infection. You must tell the doctor about this before your procedure.
Fibroid Expulsion - Some women (10%) report a vaginal discharge which may include pieces of tissue. This usually clears up within a few weeks but can continue for several weeks or months.
Premature Menopause - Around 2% of women will experience premature menopause as a result of embolisation.
Consult our fibroid clinic in Bangalore if you need uterine fibroid treatment.
