Uterine artery embolization for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.Informed patient consent

It would seem necessary that an information sheet and written consent shoul d be exchanged and signed by the physician and the patient, especially when interventional radiology procedures are involved. A comprehensive intervie w with full explanation is also mandatory if the patient is to be adequatel y informed. The existence of a specific document provides two benefits: For the patient: an understanding of the procedure and of the associated ri sks and benefits tends to reduce the natural anxiety which stems from ignor ance and better prepares her to make an informed decision on wheter to agre e (i.e. give consent) to the procedure or decline it. For the physician: the document represents a formal way of demonstrating th at he or she has fulfilled his or her duties in the matter of patient infor mation and consent. A written form would seem to be the best solution to meet these requirement s. A document of this type is proposed in this case in the form of a series of questions and answers about embolization of the uterine arteries as a m odality for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.