To evaluate the curative effect of Uterine artery embolization (UAE) in gravidas with placenta previa before the odinopoeia.

40 patients with placenta previa admitted to our hospital for odinopoeia in 2011 were selected in this study. On their consent, they were divided into two groups. with one group (experimental group) who would receive UAE before the odinopoeia, and the other group (contrast group) who would only take Rivanol and Mifepristone during odinopoeia. A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of blood loss during the odinopoeia and postpartum, and the occurrence of total hysterectomy. All the patients in our study were followed-up for 1~2 years for further evaluation of the effect of UAE in pregnant women with placenta previa before the odinopoeia and their getting pregnancy rate in both groups.

The blood loss in the process of odinopoeia in experimental group was significantly lower than that in contrast group (ml: 109.65±29.98 vs. 134.33±17.72, t=2.308, P<0.05), and the same result was observed in Postpartum blood loss(ml:112.41±20.70 vs. 138.00±32.50, t=2.057, P<0.05)、curettage bleeding (ml:69.17±26.16 vs. 93.50±12.03, t=5.582, P<0.05). However, there is not much difference between the two groups for the occurrence of total hysterectomy rate (15% vs. 25%, χ²=0.156, P>0.05) and getting pregnancy again rate (29.4% vs. 40.0%, χ²=0.396, P>0.05).

The UAE can reduce the blood loss in the process of odinopoeia、postpartum for gravidas with placenta previa, and it has little effect on such patients’ fertility.

Uterine artery embolization; Placenta previa; Odinopoeia; Blood loss