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Chen I, Berman JM, Balk EM, Saldanha IJ, Kowalczewski E, Yi J, Zanotti S, Hilli MA, Kho KA. Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of uterine fibroids: A systematic review and meta-analysis by the AAGL Practice Committee. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2024:S1553-4650(24)00416-3. [PMID: 39277104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically review clinical and patient-reported outcomes after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. DATA SOURCES We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on September 8, 2023, and requested additional data from industry sources. We included published, peer-reviewed studies of patient-centered outcomes of RFA when used for symptomatic fibroids. Abstracts and potentially relevant full-text articles were screened and data were extracted regarding study characteristics, arms, outcomes, and results, together with risk of bias assessment. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION We included 30 studies published in 49 articles (3 randomized controlled trials, 1 nonrandomized comparative study, and 26 single-group studies, as well as 4 publications from the TRUST Study) with variable risks of bias. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS The study populations were demographically diverse and clinically heterogeneous. Across studies, RFA treatment was associated with fibroid volume reduction of 46.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.1, 40.0; 11 studies) at 3 months and 65.4% (95% CI 74.7, 56.1; 10 studies) at 12 months. All studies reported a decrease in proportion of patients experiencing abnormal, heavy, or prolonged menstrual bleeding, with the most substantial improvement within the first 3 months. Meta-analyses of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores demonstrated significant improvements in scores from baseline for Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Quality of Life [UFS-QOL] (53.4, 95% CI 48.2, 58.5; 19 studies), EuroQol 5 Dimension [EQ-5D] (71.6, 95% CI 65.0, 78.1; 4 studies), and Symptom Severity Score [SSS] (52.2, 95% CI 46.4, 58.1; 17 studies), with a peak at 6 months on the UFS-QOL scale (88.0, 95% CI 83.0, 92.9; 11 studies), a peak at 24 months on the EuroQol-5D scale (88.3, 95% CI 86.0, 90.6; 2 studies), and a trough at 12 months for SSS (12.8, 95% CI 7.0, 18.6; 11 studies). Studies mostly demonstrated return to work and normal activities within 2 weeks. Reported unplanned hospitalizations were infrequent, and durations of hospital stay were generally short. Post-procedure complications were inconsistently reported, but assessed overall to be infrequent. Long-term need for medical and surgical re-intervention varied. Post-RFA hysterectomy rates ranged from 2/205 (1.0%) to 15/62 (24.1%) with variable follow-up periods ranging from 45 days to 74 months. Most studies did not include patients who desired to maintain fertility; thus, reproductive data are insufficient for interpretation. CONCLUSION There is a paucity of comparative studies, and the small number of RCTs are limited by lack of blinding. Few studies had the long-term follow-up time required to draw definitive conclusions regarding the durability of symptom relief. However, despite these limitations, there is overall agreement on several important clinical measures following RFA, such as decreased fibroid volume, improved uterine bleeding and improved quality of life. Future high quality randomized controlled trials with standardized outcomes measures are required to better characterize the use of RFA among fibroid patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Innie Chen
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Newborn Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Jay M Berman
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Ethan M Balk
- Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Ian J Saldanha
- Center for Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Emilie Kowalczewski
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Newborn Care, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Johnny Yi
- Mayo Clinic, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | - Salena Zanotti
- Cleveland Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Avon, OH, USA.
| | - Mariam Al Hilli
- Cleveland Clinic, Department of Subspecialty Care for Women's Health, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Kimberly A Kho
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Ierardi AM, Carnevale A, Pellegrino F, Stefano GD, Bonelli C, Renzulli M, Giganti M, Carrafiello G. Uterine Myomas: Extravascular Treatment. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2020; 42:56-74. [PMID: 33541590 DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors that affect the female reproductive tract. They are responsible for considerable morbidity and deterioration of life quality. The main advantages offered by mini invasive techniques are low grade of invasiveness and short times of hospitalization. The most diffuse technique is uterine artery embolization (UAE). Common concerns with UAE include postprocedural pain, postembolization syndrome, and risk of infection. Image-guided thermal ablation techniques like radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous microwave ablation, and imaging-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound were introduced to overcome the side effects related to UAE and surgery. The aim of this review is to briefly analyze the ablative procedures and their role in the management of symptomatic fibroids, and to describe the safety profile and outcomes of these modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Ierardi
- Radiology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Aldo Carnevale
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio Pellegrino
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Di Stefano
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristian Bonelli
- Healthcare Professional Department, Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Renzulli
- Radiology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, Sant'Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Melchiore Giganti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Carrafiello
- Radiology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Bradley LD, Pasic RP, Miller LE. Clinical Performance of Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2019; 29:1507-1517. [PMID: 31702440 PMCID: PMC7387230 DOI: 10.1089/lap.2019.0550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment option for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids and can be delivered by laparoscopic, transvaginal, or transcervical approaches. The evidence regarding typical patient outcomes with RFA has not previously been examined in a comprehensive fashion. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review of prospective studies for treatment of uterine fibroids with RFA. Main outcomes were procedure time, patient recovery metrics, change in fibroid volume, symptom severity score (SSS), health-related quality of life (HRQL), and reinterventions. Data were analyzed with random effects meta-analysis and metaregression. Results: We identified 32 articles of 1283 unique patients (median age: 42 years) treated with laparoscopic RFA (19 articles), transvaginal RFA (8 articles), or transcervical fibroid ablation (5 articles). Mean procedure time was 49 minutes, time to discharge was 8.2 hours, time to normal activities was 5.2 days, and time to return to work was 5.1 days. At 12 months follow-up, fibroid volume decreased by 66%, HRQL increased by 39 points, and SSS decreased by 42 points (all P < .001 versus baseline). The annual cumulative rate of reinterventions due to fibroid-related symptoms was 4.2%, 8.2%, and 11.5% through 3 years. Conclusions: RFA of uterine fibroids significantly reduces fibroid volume, provides significant durable improvements in fibroid-related quality of life, and is associated with favorable reintervention rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda D. Bradley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Institute, Center for Menstrual Disoders, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Resad P. Pasic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Larry E. Miller
- Miller Scientific Consulting, Inc., Asheville, North Carolina
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Lin L, Ma H, Wang J, Guan H, Yang M, Tong X, Zou Y. Quality of Life, Adverse Events, and Reintervention Outcomes after Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Meta-Analysis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2019; 26:409-416. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2018.09.772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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