Efficacy of patient-controlled hydromorphone analgesia in those undergoing uterine fibroid artery embolization via the right radial artery

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with hydromorphone as perioperative analgesia during uterine artery embolization (UAE) via the right radial artery.

Patients and methods

A total of 33 patients with uterine fibroids, who underwent UAE at the authors’ hospital between June 2021 and March 2022, were selected. Hydromorphone (10 ​mg) was dispensed into a 100 ​ml PCA pump with normal saline. Pump administration was initiated 15 ​min before the start of the procedure, and the intraoperative dose was adjusted according to patient pain level. A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate pain immediately after embolization, 5 ​min after embolization, at the end of the procedure, and 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 ​h after the procedure. Side effects were also observed.

Results

Thirty-three patients underwent uterine artery embolization via the right radial artery. Patient pain was well controlled at all time points surveyed, and patients reported satisfaction with analgesia. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days. There were 7 cases of adverse reactions, but no serious side effects were observed.

Conclusion

Patients reported positive experiences with arterial embolization of uterine fibroids via the right radial artery. Hydromorphone PCA effectively controlled pain. The PCA pump is easy to operate, has a low incidence of adverse reactions, and offers economic benefits at the patient and institutional levels.