Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for symptomatic uterine fibroids: a multicentre study in China

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) therapy for symptomatic uterine fibroids in a multicentre study.

Materials and methods: Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent PMWA at multiple treatment centres in China between January 2013 and August 2015 were prospectively studied to compare the reduction rate of uterine fibroids, haemoglobin level and uterine fibroid symptom and health-related quality of life questionnaire (UFS-QOL) scores before and at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation.

Results: A total of 311 patients (405 leiomyomas) from eight treatment centres underwent the treatment (age, 29–55 years; mean?±?SD, 41?±?5.11 years). The mean diameter of the myomas ranged from 2.03 to 12.50?cm (mean, 5.10?±?1.28?cm) and the volume ranged from 4.40 to 1022.14?cm³ (mean, 95.01?±?70.29?cm³). Forty-eight myomas were identified as FIGO type 1/2 fibroids, 256 as type 3/4 fibroids and 101 as type 5/6 fibroids. The mean ablation rate was 86.6% (54.0–100%). The mean reduction rate was 63.5%, 78.5% and 86.7% at 3, 6 and 12 months posttreatment, respectively. The haemoglobin level increased significantly from 88.84?±?9.31?g/L before treatment to 107.14?±?13.32, 116.05?±?7.66 and 117.79?±?6.51?g/L at 3, 6 and 12 months posttreatment, respectively (p?=?.000). The symptom severity score (SSS) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores were also significantly improved posttreatment compared with before treatment (p?=?.000).

Conclusion: PMWA is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic leiomyomas that can significantly improve the quality of life of patients.