Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of uterine leiomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched through August 2014 for all relevant studies on RFA for uterine leiomyomas. The efficacy and safety of RFA were assessed using the outcome measures of tumor volume, symptom severity score, health-related quality of life (HRQL) score, procedure-related complications, and reintervention. The authors calculated pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects model to assess the effects of RFA. RESULTS: Eight observational studies were identified as eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis and included 370 patients. All analyzed outcomes showed statistically significant improvements from baseline to final follow-up. Twenty-seven complications were identified and five of them qualified as major complications. Five patients required reintervention after RFA. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous RFA is an effective and safe treatment for patients with uterine leiomyomas.