Two-Year Clinical Outcomes of Transvaginal Radiofrequency Ablation for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Retrospective Observational Study

<b>Background:</b> Transvaginal radiofrequency ablation (TRFA) is a minimally invasive, uterus-preserving technique for symptomatic uterine fibroids. This study evaluates its two-year clinical and volumetric outcomes, safety profile, patient satisfaction, and reintervention rates. <b>Methods:</b> In this single-center, retrospective, single-arm observational cohort study, 121 premenopausal women underwent outpatient TRFA under general anesthesia between 2018 and 2023. Follow-up visits at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months assessed fibroid volume reduction, symptom improvement using the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QoL), vascularity, satisfaction, complications, and the need for reintervention. A total of 169 fibroids were treated. <b>Results:</b> TRFA resulted in progressive fibroid shrinkage, with a mean volume reduction of 57.97% at 6 months and 60.75% at 24 months, accompanied by sustained improvement in UFS-QoL scores (from 30.19 at baseline to 14.97 at 24 months). Patient satisfaction was high (96.61%). Complications were infrequent and predominantly mild, and recovery was rapid, with short postoperative analgesia (mean 2.87 days) and limited sick leave (mean 3.34 days). The two-year reintervention rate was 24.79%, with a substantial proportion corresponding hysteroscopic procedures planned a priori as part of a sequential therapeutic strategy. Among 22 pregnancies recorded after TRFA, 81.82% resulted in term deliveries with favorable neonatal outcomes although fertility was not a predefined study endpoint. <b>Conclusions:</b> TRFA appears to be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids, offering durable symptom relief and significant volume reduction and rapid recovery, and encouraging reproductive outcomes. Within the limitations of its single-arm observational design, these results support TRFA as a valuable uterus-preserving therapeutic option.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-02-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15041518
Primary Topic
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
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article
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article

Two-Year Clinical Outcomes of Transvaginal Radiofrequency Ablation for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Retrospective Observational Study

Sara Cruz Melguizo, Victoria E. Rey, Gema Vaquero Argüello, Ma Luisa De la Cruz Conty et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
article

Two-Year Clinical Outcomes of Transvaginal Radiofrequency Ablation for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Retrospective Observational Study

Sara Cruz Melguizo, Victoria E. Rey, Gema Vaquero Argüello, Ma Luisa De la Cruz Conty, Tirso Pérez Medina, Ma Eugenia Marín Martínez
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Transvaginal radiofrequency ablation (TRFA) is a minimally invasive, uterus-preserving technique for symptomatic uterine fibroids. This study evaluates its two-year clinical and volumetric outcomes, safety profile, patient satisfaction, and reintervention rates. <b>Methods:</b> In this single-center, retrospective, single-arm observational cohort study, 121 premenopausal women underwent outpatient TRFA under general anesthesia between 2018 and 2023. Follow-up visits at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months assessed fibroid volume reduction, symptom improvement using the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QoL), vascularity, satisfaction, complications, and the need for reintervention. A total of 169 fibroids were treated. <b>Results:</b> TRFA resulted in progressive fibroid shrinkage, with a mean volume reduction of 57.97% at 6 months and 60.75% at 24 months, accompanied by sustained improvement in UFS-QoL scores (from 30.19 at baseline to 14.97 at 24 months). Patient satisfaction was high (96.61%). Complications were infrequent and predominantly mild, and recovery was rapid, with short postoperative analgesia (mean 2.87 days) and limited sick leave (mean 3.34 days). The two-year reintervention rate was 24.79%, with a substantial proportion corresponding hysteroscopic procedures planned a priori as part of a sequential therapeutic strategy. Among 22 pregnancies recorded after TRFA, 81.82% resulted in term deliveries with favorable neonatal outcomes although fertility was not a predefined study endpoint. <b>Conclusions:</b> TRFA appears to be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids, offering durable symptom relief and significant volume reduction and rapid recovery, and encouraging reproductive outcomes. Within the limitations of its single-arm observational design, these results support TRFA as a valuable uterus-preserving therapeutic option.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(4)
Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (ES), IVI Sevilla Clinic (ES), Hospital General San Jorge (ES), Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina (ES), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Uterine Myomas and Treatments
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