This is a minimally invasive procedure performed as pinhole surgery by Mr John A Rophael. He is a vascular surgeon who has had extensive experience managing many patients with pelvic pain and PCS. He has also presented as a keynote speaker at a number of national health conferences.

 

Pelvic vein embolisation is performed in a catheter laboratory under X-ray imaging guidance. It is important to inform us if there is any possibility that you are pregnant. Please also mention any allergies you may have to iodine (the X-ray dye – known as contrast – contains iodine).

​

An anaesthetist is present and will be monitoring your breathing, heart beat and blood pressure.

 

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a catheter (a long thin plastic tube – 2mm in diameter) into the vein in the groin (or in rare cases, the neck). This is done after local anaesthetic is administered.

 

Using X-ray imaging guidance and contrast material (dye) to visualise the blood vessels, the catheter is advanced into the pelvic and ovarian veins to check for abnormalities, such as blood refl uxing or fl owing the ‘wrong’ way. As the dye is injected and passes through the body, you may feel a warm, fl ushing feeling which is short-lived and normal.