York study finds nerve block improves pain management during fibroid treatment

A team of interventional radiologists at York Hospital has studied an alternative for pain management for women undergoing image-guided uterine fibroid treatment. The technique is used during fibroid embolisation and could pave the way nationally for improving the experience and recovery of women who undergo this treatment.

A case control study led by consultant vascular and interventional radiologist Dr Bahir Almazedi on the superior hypogastric nerve block technique delivered during uterine fibroid embolisation took place in the vascular imaging unit. It evaluated the impact on women during and after treatment, comparing the outcome of patients who had the nerve block and those who did not.  Findings were published earlier this year. Women given the nerve block as part of their care reported significantly less pain from the procedure and were able to be discharged on the same day. Before introducing the technique in 2016, women treated for uterine fibroids with embolisation had a short stay in hospital and longer recovery time.

The interventional radiology team has treated more than 300 patients suffering from uterine fibroids with embolisation. Clinical outcomes of more than 120 women were reviewed for the research study. The team discovered the nerve block can offer a safe and effective pain management solution, improving patient experience. It also found that women were significantly less likely to be admitted overnight.

Dr Almazedi said: “I’m really pleased we were able to find a solution to this challenging issue. To see the huge difference that this has made to so many women undergoing fibroid embolisation treatment makes all the hard work that went into developing this technique very worthwhile indeed.”

Picture: Dr Bahir Almazedi has seen an improvement in the experience of women undergoing fibroid embolisation.

Published on page 11 of the July 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.