Clinical outcomes after 2-year follow-up of transvaginal radiofrequency ablation of symptomatic uterine fibroids

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy after 2 years follow-up of transvaginal radiofrequency ablation (TVRA) to treat myomas, and to identify factors predictive of the response to the treatment.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of a 2-year follow-up of 65 patients who underwent TVRA for the treatment uterine fibroids at Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, Spain. Ultrasound mean fibroid volume, symptom severity scale, total bleeding days, complications, pregnancy outcomes were recorded.

Results

Statistically significant improvements in symptoms and bleeding were observed at 6, 12, and 24 months after the procedure. The mean myoma volume (cc) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 12 and 24 months, with a mean reduction in myoma volume of more than 80% and 60%, respectively. After a 24-month follow-up, 5 patients (7.7%) required additional surgical treatment to control symptoms. Patient age (>40 years), initial myoma size, and the timing of radiofrequency were identified as factors related to outcomes in the bivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Transvaginal radiofrequency ablation is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of myomas after 2 years of follow-up, which improves the symptoms of the patients and decreases the final volume of the myoma.