Complications Of Uterine Leiomyomas: A Comparative Review of Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Myomectomy in Management and Outcomes
Abstract
Comparative evidence on uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy in the management of uterine leiomyomas.
Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common
benign gynaecological tumors in women of reproductive
age and may result in significant complications.
Uterus-preserving treatment options recommended by
the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists (ACOG) and central to this review are
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) and myomectomy.
This review compares UFE and myomectomy in terms of
recurrence, fertility preservation, and quality-of-life
outcomes.
A comparative analysis was conducted using major
electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar,
Scopus, and Science Direct, with searches restricted to
human studies published in English between January 2013
and May 2025. Fibroids are most prevalent among women
aged 30 to 50 years and disproportionately affect Black
women. Myomectomy, though more invasive, is preferred
in women desiring future fertility.
UFE has a higher intervention rate
(OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.62–2.10; P < 0.01; I² = 39%),
hysterectomy rate
(OR 4.04; 95% CI 3.45–4.72; P < 0.01; I² = 59%),
and symptom-severity score compared with myomectomy
at a four-year follow-up. UFE has a lower risk of
early complications
(OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.20–0.95; P = 0.04; I² = 25%)
and differences in readmission outcomes compared
with myomectomy.
Both procedures effectively relieve symptoms and
preserve the uterus, but data on fertility outcomes
remain inconclusive. Treatment decisions should
therefore be personalized according to patient
preferences and clinical context.
Comparison of UFE and myomectomy in fibroid management.
Human studies published in English from January 2013 to May 2025.
PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science Direct.
Recurrence, fertility preservation, complications and quality of life.
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Contributor Statement
The author contributed solely to the study and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict of Interest & Funding
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest.
Funding:
No funding received by the author.
Comparative Literature Review
The review compared uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy as uterus-preserving treatment approaches, with emphasis on recurrence, fertility preservation, complications and quality-of-life outcomes.
Evidence Sources
PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science Direct were searched for relevant human studies published in English between January 2013 and May 2025.
UFE vs Myomectomy
The review compares intervention and hysterectomy rates, symptom severity, complications, readmission, fertility considerations and quality-of-life outcomes associated with uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy.
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Licence & Article Record
This article is published by
The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ)
under the Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0).
Persistent DOI:
10.64573/torgj2506001
Review Article
This publication is presented as a comparative review of uterine fibroid embolization and myomectomy. The article should therefore be classified as a review rather than original primary research.
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