Pain after uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata: can its severity be predicted and does severity predict outcome?

PURPOSE To determine whether the severity of postprocedure pain associated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomata can be predicted and if its severity can predict outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one patients underwent UAE and had postprocedure pain managed with use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in the form of an intravenous morphine pump. Baseline uterine and dominant fibroid volumes were calculated for each patient. Attempted doses, doses given, total morphine dose, and maximum numerical rating scale (NRS) score during postprocedure hospitalization were recorded. At 3 months postprocedure, repeat imaging was used to determine uterine and dominant fibroid volume reduction. Each patient also completed a questionnaire assessing change in menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure symptoms, and satisfaction with symptomatic outcome. Simple regression analysis was used to determine if baseline volumes predicted postprocedure pain and if the pain-related variables could be used to predict outcome. RESULTS Neither baseline uterine volume nor dominant fibroid volume predicted the severity of postprocedure pain. Similarly, none of the pain-related variables predicted uterine or fibroid volume reduction, symptomatic improvement, or satisfaction with outcome. CONCLUSIONS Postprocedural pain cannot be predicted based on baseline uterine or fibroid volume and the severity of pain experienced cannot be used to predict outcome.