Tri-acryl gelatin microsphere is better than polyvinyl alcohol in the treatment of uterine myomas with uterine artery embolization.

This study is to compare the outcomes of tri-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the treatment of uterine myomas with uterine artery embolization (UAE). Meta-analysis was performed by electronic literature searches from databases including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE and meta Register of Controlled Trials for studies published prior to December 2014. Randomized controlled trials comparing TAGM and PVA treating uterine myomas were included in the analysis. Information retrieved from each study included study design, number of participants, study settings, patient characteristics, sample size, follow-up duration and outcomes. Imaging outcomes and clinical outcomes were the main criteria for the evaluation of the included studies. Twenty-eight articles published from 1966 to December 2014 were retrieved through database searching and other sources. After initial screening and assessment, five randomized controlled trials, including 309 women with uterine myomas, met the inclusion criteria. In both imaging and clinical outcomes, TAGM group showed superior or similar effects than PVA group. The results showed more number of patients with significant tumor enhancement, greater mean change in tumor volume, greater mean changes in symptom score and QOL score in TAGM group compared with PVA group, with significant differences. TAGM and PVA groups had similar uterine volume, mean changes in bleeding score and pain score. TAGM is better than PVA as an embolic agent in the treatment of uterine myomas with UAE.