On March 20, Dr. Mitch Dizon, a subspecialist in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Erlanger Women’s Health, performed the region’s first laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation surgery for uterine fibroids.
Approximately 540,000 hysterectomies are performed annually for non-cancerous conditions, including uterine fibroids, national statistics reveal.
Erlanger now offers another minimally invasive option for women with symptomatic fibroids who would otherwise require a hysterectomy, myomectomy or uterine fibroid embolization.
“While laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomies are the most common procedure I perform for fibroids, they don’t necessarily fit into every woman’s life,” says Dizon. “To be able to provide them another safe minimally invasive option with a short recovery time while restoring their quality of life is an important step in advancing the solutions we offer patients.”
Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding and painful periods that can be debilitating to women. This treatment can reduce the fibroid size resulting in less symptoms and meaningful improvements to quality of life for the patient. Additionally, the recovery time is quick.
This new laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation treatment is the first and only system to utilize radiofrequency ablation, laparoscopic ultrasound and guidance mapping to treat women suffering from fibroids, claims Erlanger in a news release.
The potential patient benefits include a significant reduction in uterine bleeding and fibroid size, less pain after the procedure, lower intraoperative blood loss compared to hysterectomy and myomectomy and quick recovery time as patients typically return to work within five days.
The laparoscopic ultrasound and guidance mapping also allows the surgeon to visualize and treat more fibroids. The system can locate up to twice as many fibroids than MRI or transvaginal ultrasound. This allows for patients to receive treatment for fibroids that may have been previously undetected.
“Previously, women would have to travel to Nashville or Atlanta to have this procedure. I’m excited to bring this treatment to the women of Chattanooga and surrounding areas,” says Dizon. “It gives them more options to decide what’s best for their current needs and lifestyle.”
Read more about fibroids and treatment options and make an appointment with Erlanger Women’s Health at erlanger.org/womens.
Source: Erlanger