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PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT
ADVANCES IN WOMEN’S
HEALTH CAN REDUCE NEED
FOR TRADITIONAL SURGERY
Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas) are the most common form of benign
uterine tumors which can affect up 70 percent of women by the age of 50.
Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include
heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual periods lasting more than a week, pelvic
pressure or pain, frequent urination, constipation or back pain.
In the past, management of uterine fibroids mainly involved surgical interventions,
including hysterectomy and myomectomy. Vascular & Interventional Physicians of
Brevard can help patients avoid surgery by offering uterine artery embolization.
Uterine artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure where the arterial
system is accessed via a tiny skin incision in the wrist or groin. Under fluoroscopic
guidance, the uterine arteries are selected and via a flexible tube (catheter) small
particles (embolic agents) are injected to block the blood supply to the uterine
fibroids. The goal of this minimally invasive procedure is to starve the fibroids and
cause them to shrink and die.
Most of the patients that undergo uterine artery embolization have an inflammatory
reaction lasting about two weeks as the fibroids die. In up to 85-90 percent of the
patients, symptoms significantly improve in about four weeks after the intervention.
Dr. Jennifer M. Laporte, an interventional radiologist with Vascular & Interventional
Physicians of Brevard, practices this minimally invasive procedure. According to Dr.
Laporte, some of the advantages of this intervention include that it is a minimally
invasive procedure, patients can preserve their uterus, they go home the same
day and there is a quicker recovery time.
Dr. Laporte can also treat a less common cause of chronic pelvic pain known as
pelvic congestion syndrome, which affects about 15 percent of women in their
reproductive years. Typically, this disease causes chronic pelvic pain that worsens
throughout the day and is relieved with lying down. Some patients may also
experience pain with urination and during/after sexual activity. Pelvic congestion
syndrome is also associated with ovarian and pelvic venous engorgement. This
can result in varicose veins in the pelvis, thighs, buttock region or vaginal area.
The minimally invasive procedure that can be performed to treat this condition
is similar to the one described above, where the abnormally dilated ovarian and
pelvic veins are accessed and blocked with embolic materials. This procedure can
also be done on an outpatient basis.
Vascular & Interventional Physicians of Brevard
8075 SPYGLASS HILL ROAD, SUITE 100, VIERA, FL 32940
OFFICE: 321- 346-4118 VASCULARBREVARD.COM
ABOUT THE PHYSICIAN
Dr. Jennifer M. Laporte is a Vascular Interventional
Radiologist with Brevard Physician Associates and
joined the group in August of 2021.
A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Laporte received her medical
degree from San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. She
then went on to complete her residency training in
diagnostic radiology at Emory University Hospital in
Atlanta. Following residency, she completed a fellowship
in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the Miami
Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
Dr. Laporte’s interests are in the diagnosis, treatment
and management of peripheral arterial disease, venous
disease, woman’s health, interventional oncology, as well
as hepatobiliary disease. She is also an active member
in the Society of Interventional Radiology and has given
multiple research and educational podium presentations
throughout North America.
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