Alternative treatment for symptomatic fibroids

The present review discusses treatment options for symptomatic fibroids. Al though the standard treatment of fibroids has been surgical hysterectomy, a n increasing number of reports indicate that uterine artery embolization wi th preservation of the uterus is a promising alternative. Other surgical an d medical approaches reported during the past year are also addressed. The review summarizes patient selection, contraindications, results, complicati ons and future considerations. Complications following uterine artery embol ization treatment for symptomatic fibroids have been minor in comparison wi th those following hysterectomy. Although patient satisfaction is good, non e of the studies included control individuals and further studies are neede d to optimize patient selection and to evaluate long-term results of treatm ent. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.