History of Uterine Fibroid Embolization

What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (Uterine Artery Embolization) is an important advancement in the treatment of uterine fibroids. This minimally invasive therapy for uterine fibroids was originally introduced about 20 years ago by a French gynecologist, Dr. Jacques Ravina. At that time, uterine artery embolization was used to stop life threatening bleeding following childbirth, but Dr. Ravina wanted to use the procedure to decrease blood loss for fibroid surgery and began a clinical trial. An interesting thing happened in that several patients who were scheduled for surgery a few weeks or months after the embolization experienced symptom relief of their fibroids and cancelled their surgery. This is when the procedure began to be offered as a primary treatment for uterine fibroids.

The first reported cases of UFE in the United States was by Dr. Goodwin, at UCLA. Since then well over 100,000 women have successfully treated their fibroids with Uterine Artery Embolization.

North Texas Fibroids is a part of North Texas Vein and Vascular. There are many other services offered by Dr. Handley at North Texas Vein and Vascular. You can find out more about them by visiting our website. Or just give us a call at (972) 640-9720, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.