Fatma Tuğba İLAL MERT, Gözde ALTUN
Comprehensive Medicine - 2026;18(1):40-49
Objective: Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is usually encountered in female patients of reproductive age. Medical and endovascular interventions are used in the treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of endovascular plug embolization on pain and quality of life in patients diagnosed with PCS. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 36 patients diagnosed with PCS and who underwent embolization of ovarian veins with the plug method between June 2023 and March 2024 were analyzed. All information such as age, BMI (body mass index), site and side of pain, medical treatments, comorbidities, time between onset of pain and endovascular intervention, accompanying symptoms, positions in which pain increased, and clinics consulted during the diagnostic process were recorded. NRS-11 (Numeric Rating Scale-11) and SF-12 (Short Form-12) scores were recorded before, and one and three months after, the endovascular procedure. Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.5+/-8.2 years, and the mean duration of pain was 49.6+/-32.28 months. Compared to the pre-procedural baseline, the NRS score significantly decreased from 9.3 to 2.06, indicating substantial pain relief. The MCS-12 (Mental Component Summary-12) scores increased from 27.5 to 32.4, reflecting an improvement in patients' mental quality of life. Similarly, PCS-12 (Physical Component Summary-12) scores rose from 26.2 to 47.5, demonstrating enhanced physical quality of life. At the 3-month follow-up, statistical analysis of NRS and SF-12 scores confirmed a significant reduction in pain and an increase in quality of life (p<0.001). Conclusion: Endovascular plug embolization is an effective and safe method in patients with PCS. Endovascular plug embolization in patients with PCS resulted in significant pain reduction and notable improvement in both mental and physical quality of life within three months post-procedure.
