Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1081

Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE)

Application No.

1081
Application Name and Project OfficerUterine Artery Embolisation (UAE)
Advisory PanelsDr Ray Kirk
(Chair and MSAC member)
Dr Stuart Lyon
(Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists nominee)
Dr Geoffrey Reid
(Australian Gynaecological Endoscopic Society nominee)
Ms Jo-Anne Tamlyn
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat10 June 2004
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 16 November 2005 meeting.

The evidence suggest that UAE is safe, clinically effective and potentially cost-effective for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. It appears more effective than myomectomy for the control of menorrhagia and pain but less effective in controlling pressure symptoms. It is safer but less effective in controlling symptoms compared with hysterectomy. The MSAC recommends that UAE be funded on an interim basis for the treatment of women with symptomatic uterine fibroids with a review within five years. The MSAC recommends that patients be referred by a specialist gynaecologist.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 28 March 2006
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented
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Page currency, Latest update: 09 July, 2009