What is Acessa™?
Acessa™ is a surgical procedure that treats symptomatic uterine fibroids in most pre-menopausal women. Acessa™ is performed by OB/GYN doctors as an alternate treatment for uterine fibroids versus a hysterectomy or myomectomy.
How does the Acessa™ procedure work?
The Acessa™ procedure uses Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation (Lap RFA) or high heat transmitted through a probe with seven needles to treat uterine fibroids. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia where two to three incisions are made in a patient’s body in order to insert a camera, the Acessa™ probe and an ultrasound wand. The incisions are usually made in the bellybutton, bikini line and abdomen.
How long does a procedure last and what is the recovery time with Acessa™?
A procedure lasts between 90 to 120 minutes and depends on the number of fibroids, their size and location.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia by an OB/GYN in an operating room setting. Due to the invasive nature of this procedure, the average patient recovery time varies between a few weeks to a few months.
What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)?
UFE is a safe and efficient procedure performed in clinics nationwide through highly trained interventional radiologists. The procedure is performed under light, local anesthesia by a tiny incision (roughly the size of a pencil tip) made in the wrist or groin through which a catheter is inserted.
What is the process for a UFE?
The UFE procedure is performed in a clinical setting by an interventional radiologist who guides a catheter through a tiny incision either in the patient’s wrist or groin. The catheter targets the fibroid by inserting minute particles (the size of grains of sand) that are released to float downstream and block the blood vessels that supply the fibroid with its nutrients. Once the blood supply is cut off, the fibroid begins to soften, shrink and shrivel.
How long does a UFE procedure last? What is the recovery time?
On average, a UFE procedure last 45 minutes to an hour. Since the procedure is performed under a mild, local anesthesia the patient is sent home the same day with instructions to take medication for cramping or pain. Patients can recover fully within a few short weeks.
Should I choose UFE over Acessa™?
Although there are a number of uterine fibroid treatments available, the benefits of some clearly outweigh the others. The Acessa™ procedure, due to its invasive nature, does carry certain risks such as:
- Pain and discomfort resulting from the incisions
- Skin burns caused by high radiofrequency ablation
- An adverse reaction to general anesthesia
- Injury to adjacent organs during the surgery
- Risk of infection and scarring related to the incisions
- Blood clots
- A prolonged recovery time following surgery
- Insufficient data exists regarding post procedure fertility
On the contrary, the UFE procedure has innumerable benefits that include:
- Mild, local anesthesia for procedure
- Availability in outpatient clinics nationwide through experienced interventional radiologists
- Only one minute incision that does not need stitches or cause scarring
- Minimal to no risk of infection
- Quick recovery time
- Ample data to support fertility post procedure, when compared to other treatments
How do I seek treatment for my uterine fibroids?
There are multiple types of fibroids with many symptoms. To find out which treatment option suits you, contact Dr. Neel Patel at The Atlanta Fibroid Clinic.
Dr. Patel is a board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist specializing in the nonsurgical treatment of uterine fibroids through UFE. He is the founder and medical director of the Minimally Invasive Center of Atlanta, located in Doraville and Decatur, Georgia.
Dr. Patel’s practice is recognized as one of the leading centers for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Dr. Patel has extensive experience performing this non-invasive procedure and prides himself on educating women about uterine fibroids to ease their symptoms.
Contact us to find out how you can be symptom-free through UFE.
