Use of patient-controlled venous analgesia pump in uterine artery embolization treatment of fibroids

Objective: To report our experience of using patient-controlled venous and analgesia pump during and after uterine artery embolization treatment of fibroids. Methods: 109 cases of uterine leiomyomas were treated with bilateral uterine artery embolization using iodinated Pingyangmycin hydrochloride oil emulsion and gelatin sponge granules. Patient-controlled venous analgesia pump was used in 80 patients whereas the remaining 29 patients received intra-catheter injection of Lidocaine 100 mg (2 mL) diluted to 6 mL using 4 mL of saline, and when necessary, intramuscular injection of 50 mg of pethidine. Any acute ischemic symptoms during or after the embolization treatment were recorded. Results: The analgesic effect using patient-controlled venous analgesia pump was 85% (68/80) and significantly higher than of control group with conventional analgesia. Conclusion: Patient-controlled venous analgesia pump is simple, less painful and effective method of administering analgesia in uterine artery embolization of fibroids. (authors)