In 1995, Ravina et al. first reported in the English literature embolization of uterine myoma in their first 16 patients. This was a novel and unexpected therapeutic approach. The treatment options at that time were medical treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), which was limited by its side effects, and surgical treatment either by myomectomy or hysterectomy. They proposed “a real alternative to surgery” namely uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Today, the value and efficacy of this treatment have been confirmed and it is widely used throughout the world. Here, I will review the process of reflection and development of UAE where gynecologists and radiologists have developed a fruitful and innovative collaboration leading to the development of UAE.

The road to innovation and development of uterine artery embolization

Arterial embolization is an interventional vascular radiology procedure that traditionally has been done for the treatment of vascular anomalies or vascular diseases of the central nervous system. Since the 1970s, it has been used also for the treatment of gastrointestinal and urinary tract bleeding.

For many years, J.J. Merland in collaboration with R. Djindjian studied and developed arterial embolization of the central nervous system at Pitie-Salpetire Hospital Paris, France. He realized that this technology could be beneficial also for other specialties. The interest of physicians in the Lariboisiere Maternity unit facilitated his intention. The first collaborative work was for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage leading to the first publication by Pais et al. (1980).