Pregnancy after embolisation of uterine myomata

Since our first report on uterine artery embolisation (UAE) of 184 women ov er a 6 year period, eight pregnancies were observed in seven treated women. Our objectives were to evaluate the type of uterus before UAE, to assess e ventual pregnancy-induced myomata recurrence, evaluate pregnancy delay afte r UAE, as well as pregnancy course and outcome. Women were prospectively ev aluated during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and post-partum Prior to UAE the uterus was enlarged (mean 455 cm(3)) with polymyomata in four cases . Patient age at pregnancy ranged from 23 to 42 (mean 36, median 40). The t ime interval between UAE and pregnancy was short (4-27 months). Two early m iscarriages were observed in one woman > 40 years old. There were two deliv eries at term and two births were premature tone woman with AIDS, one twin pregnancy). Two women still have normal, ongoing pregnancies. The mode of d elivery could be assessed in four cases: three vaginal, one Caesarian secti on. No foetal growth retardation was present. Neither myomata recurrences n or abnormalities in uterine function were observed. These data are a prelim inary report on pregnancies following UAE. Early miscarriages could be rela ted to the women's age. Premature birth, late toxaemia and Caesarian sectio n were observed in special medical or obstetric conditions and were not UAE related. Pregnancies following UAE are possible without any uterine proble ms during pregnancy or delivery. These data provide indirect proof of the s afety and efficacy of UAE. If these preliminary results are confirmed we ca n assume that UAE can be performed on women suffering from myomata and stil l desiring pregnancies.