BACKGROUND: Efforts to develop alternatives to surgery for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids have provided new techniques and new drugs. This review summarizes the existing literature on uterine artery embolization (UAE) and research studies in four new approaches. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE to December 2007. Studies reporting side effects and complications and presenting numerical data on at least one outcome measure were included. RESULTS: The case studies report 5060% reduction in fibroid size and 8595% relief of symptoms after the United Arab Emirates. The largest of these studies reported a complication rate in hospital of 2.7% (90 patients in 3041) and a complication rate of postdischarge of 26% (710 of 2729 patients). Eight studies from the United Arab Emirates compared with conventional surgery. Best evidence suggests that the United Arab Emirates offers shorter hospital stays (55.8 days versus 12 days United Arab Emirates surgery, 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)) and recovery times (9,528 days compared to the United Arab Emirates 36.263 days after surgery, 3 RCTs) and similar rates of major complications (United Arab Emirates 215% versus 2.720% of the surgery, 3 RCTs). Four studies of costeffectiveness of United Arab Emirates costs found more effective than surgery. There is insufficient evidence regarding fertility and pregnancy outcome after the United Arab Emirates. Five feasibility studies after temporary occlusion of transvaginal uterine artery in 75 women showed a 4,050% reduction in fibroid volume and two early studies using magnetic resonance ultrasound guidedfocused showed symptom relief at 6 months 71% of 109 women. Two small RCTs assessing mifepristone and asoprisnil showed promising results. CONCLUSIONS: The good quality evidence supports the safety and efficacy of UAE for women with symptomatic fibroids. Currently available data are insufficient for the United Arab Emirates are offering women who want to preserve or enhance their fertility. Newer treatments are still under investigation. br br
