Acessa Radiofrequency Fibroid Ablation
Dr. Hawkins was the 1st physician in the southeast to perform the Acessa Radiofrequency Fibroid Ablation procedure.
The Acessa Procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy by which your doctor will utilize laparoscopic instruments to deliver radiofrequency energy to your fibroids. Radiofrequency ablation destroys the fibroid tissue using radiofrequency energy to heat up and ablate the fibroids. The fibroids then shrink and are reabsorbed by surrounding tissue. The dead fibroid tissue shrinks and shrivels over time. The dead tissue is not harmful. It gets absorbed by the body, just like any dead tissue cell. Acessa can safely and effectively treat almost all sizes and locations of fibroids, including those outside the uterine cavity and within uterine walls. The procedure requires no cutting or suturing of uterine tissue, patients typically go home the same day, experiencing minimal discomfort and a rapid return to normal activities.
The Acessa procedure
Acessa is a surgery and is performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia. The steps of the procedure are below.
- Visualize – We are able to see the precise location of each fibroid with the Acessa ultrasound probe and guidance mapping, allowing a full view of the uterus.
- Deploy – Next, we deploy the tip of the Acessa handpiece into only the fibroid while preserving healthy uterine tissue.
- Treat – We activate controlled heat through the Acessa handpiece to destroy the fibroid tissue.
- The process is repeated until every fibroid is fully treated.
Recovery
- Most patients go home within 2 hours after the surgery is complete.
- Women typically feel ready to return to work and daily activities after 5-7 days and exercise, intercourse, and heavy lifting in 3 weeks.
- Recovery is not usually painful, and the great majority of patients only require NSAIDs for pain control, not narcotics.
Symptom relief
- Depends on the size of your fibroids that were treated and which symptoms were experienced.
- Typically patients feel lighter within weeks of surgery and see a decrease in the size of their uterus in the following 3-4 months.
- Menstrual flow and heaviness improve in about 3-4 months as well.
- Studies showed an average 45% reduction of fibroid volume and a significant reduction in menstrual bleeding in 3-6 months post-Acessa surgery. Total volume shrinkage is dependent on fibroid size and location.