Study of 41 Cases of Pregnancy after Uterine Leiomyoma Treatment by Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)

Abstract

Uterine leiomyoma, a benign tumor, may be treated with hormone therapy, conventional surgical resection and uterine artery embolization (UAE): this paper reports the study on safety after UAE treatment. Pregnancy processes and prognoses of a total of 41 cases from 39 patients (two women were pregnant twice) who succeeded to pregnancy after UAE treatment in our clinic were studied. The average age of patients was 34.5 (29-40). Patients included 24 cases of multiple uterine leiomyoma and 14 cases of solitary leiomyoma; the average size of leiomyoma was 388.3 cm 3 (15-1059 cm 3) and the average period between UAE operation and pregnancy was 26.5 months (1-120). Causes of pregnancy were 29 cases of natural pregnancy and 12 cases of infertility treatment: 28 cases succeeded in delivery, 7 cases resulted in spontaneous abortion, and 6 cases are ongoing. Premature birth, placental abnormality and low-weight babies were observed in 3, 3, and 1 cases, respectively; the latter 1 case was of triplets. Although the incidence of placental abnormality was a little high, no other serious complications were observed, suggesting that pregnancy after UAE has no problem from the obstetric point of view. In the future, UAE is considered to be worthwhile if carefully done for cases who want to become pregnant.