Answer:
At this point, you will move to
the table in the angiography suite, where the anesthesiologist will explain what kind of
anesthesia you will receive. Most of the time UAE patients recieve an epidural anesthetic
similar to that done for childbirth. After the anesthesiologist is done the Interventional
Radiologist will begin the UAE procedure.There is a large artery that runs through
the groin. The radiologist sterilizes the skin Iying on top of this artery with an iodine
solution, and numbs it with a local anesthetic. The injection for the anesthetic stings
and burns for a few seconds. Then, the radiologist inserts a needle into the artery, and
exchanges it for a plastic catheter about the thickness of a piece of spaghetti.
While watching under X-ray, the
radiologist then maneuvers the catheter into the main arteries supplying the uterus and
injects small plastic particles which plug up the blood vessels supplying the fibroid.
During this process the radiologist will inject X-Ray dye, which helps to show the
vessels.
During this process you may feel
sensations of warmth. When the procedure is done, the radiologist removes the catheter and
applies pressure at the puncture site for a few minutes, just as you would apply pressure
to any needle stick. When bleeding at the puncture site has stopped, you will be wheeled
to your room.
You will be asked to lie in bed for
the next several hours to avoid any further bleeding. During this time, you may sit up and
eat, read, or watch television. You will stay overnight in the hospital, and almost always
be allowed to go home the next morning.
In about 3 months, another
ultrasound of your pelvis will be taken, to measure how much the uterus and fibroids have
shrunk. You will also need to follow up with your gynecologist. |
