AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the depth of vascular penetration of non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) versus trisacryl gelatin microspheres (MS) in women undergoing uterine artery embolization (UAE) immediately before transabdominal myomectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 patients who had been referred for embolization before myomectomy underwent bilateral uterine artery embolization using either 355-500 microm PVA (group A) or 700-900 microm MS (group B). The depth of penetration of the particles was assessed by identifying their presence and location in the resected specimen. RESULTS: Of the 17 women enrolled in this study, 10 were in group A and 6 in group B. One woman underwent embolization using both types of particle and was excluded from the analysis. Embolic particles were significantly (p = 0.048) more frequently located within the fibroid (4/6, 67%) in Group B than Group A (1/10, 10%). Particles were also identified in the perifibroid tissues in 4/6 (67%) in Group B and 4/10 (40%) in Group A, with no statistical difference. There were no procedural complications. CONCLUSION: MS particles (700-900 microm) penetrate significantly deeper into leiomyomata compared with non-spherical PVA (355-500 microm). MS may therefore confer advantages in UAE, as they may more specifically target the fibroid, allowing an earlier end-point to embolization and minimizing ischaemic damage to normal myometrium and ovaries.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the depth of vascular penetration of non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) versus trisacryl gelatin microspheres (MS) in women undergoing uterine artery embolization (UAE) immediately before transabdominal myomectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 patients who had been referred for embolization before myomectomy underwent bilateral uterine artery embolization using either 355-500 microm PVA (group A) or 700-900 microm MS (group B). The depth of penetration of the particles was assessed by identifying their presence and location in the resected specimen. RESULTS: Of the 17 women enrolled in this study, 10 were in group A and 6 in group B. One woman underwent embolization using both types of particle and was excluded from the analysis. Embolic particles were significantly (p = 0.048) more frequently located within the fibroid (4/6, 67%) in Group B than Group A (1/10, 10%). Particles were also identified in the perifibroid tissues in 4/6 (67%) in Group B and 4/10 (40%) in Group A, with no statistical difference. There were no procedural complications. CONCLUSION: MS particles (700-900 microm) penetrate significantly deeper into leiomyomata compared with non-spherical PVA (355-500 microm). MS may therefore confer advantages in UAE, as they may more specifically target the fibroid, allowing an earlier end-point to embolization and minimizing ischaemic damage to normal myometrium and ovaries.