Superselective uterine artery embolization for the control and prevention of obstetric hemorrhage

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of superselective uterine artery embolization for treatment and prevention of obstetric hemorrhage. Methods: Between April 2004 and December 2007, 47 consecutive patients underwent uterine artery embolization to control or prevent hemorrhage, including 20 patients for preventing hemorrhage before abortion and 27 for controlling obstetric hemorrhage. Results: Bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed in all cases except one for abnormal vascular anatomy receiving unilateral approach. Within 10 days after embolization, curettage abortion or uterine-incision delivery was done without hysterectomy, and hemorrhage during abortion was less with average of 54 ml. Conclusions: The high success rate, effectiveness and possibility of preserving reproductive function have made uterine artery embolization the technique of choice to control obstetric hemorrhage, and prophylactic embolization, can prevent hemorrhage before abortion. (authors)