OBJECTIVES: Uterine fibroids are one of the most common female disorder of the 
reproductive age and may cause abnormal uterine bleeding (UAB), pain or 
infertility. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous 
radio frequency ablation (RFA) in reducing clinical symptoms, fibroid volume and 
improving laboratory parameters.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five symptomatic patients with 54 uterine fibroids 
were enrolled. Preintervention evaluation was made for each participant and 
included ultrasonography to assess the volume, largest diameter and location of 
the fibroid and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for quantifying the degree of 
menstrual pain. The magnitude of menstrual bleeding was scored for each patient 
by using pictogram. Preprocedural laboratory assessment included hemoglobulin 
and hematocrit. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months after the 
intervention with ultrasound (US) measurements, symptom scores and laboratory 
parameters.
RESULTS: Pretreatment mean Hb was significantly lower than those at 3, 6 and 12 
month post treatment visits (p < 0.001). The pretreatment median volume was 
significantly higher than the median volumes measured at 3, 6 and 12 months 
after RFA (p < 0.001). Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain was significantly 
lower than baseline values at 6 and 12 month visits (p < 0.01). Pretreatment 
bleeding scores and the number of patients in the predefined severe bleeding 
category were significantly decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: US guided RF ablation of uterine fibroids is relatively safe and 
effective procedure. It can be applied to the fibroids with varying 
localizations and sizes. It reduces the fibroid volume and obviate a need for 
more invasive treatment.