Microwave endometrial ablation may be an ineffective procedure for life-threatening uterine bleeding induced by an uterine arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is effective for the emergent control of uterine hemorrhage. No cases involving life-threatening hemorrhage induced by a uterine arteriovenous malformation (UAVM) treated by MEA have been reported. In the current case, the authors evaluated the efficacy of MEA as a first-line therapeutic option for a bleeding UAVM; however, MEA was ineffective in controlling the bleeding induced by the UAVM. Given its safety, simplicity, and effectiveness, MEA has been widely adopted for the emergency control of uterine bleeding; however, MEA should be used with extreme caution for the treatment of intractable bleeding induced by uterine AVM. Although MEA is thought be a highly efficacious way to urgently control life-threatening uterine hemorrhage, MEA should be used for the treatment of UAVMs with extreme caution.