Treatment of fibroids through radiofrequency ablation

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign tumors that frequently appear in the wall of the uterus. It is the most common benign pathology in gynecology. It is estimated that 70% of women develop fibroids throughout their lives, with a higher incidence after the age of 50. They are normally asymptomatic and do not require treatment.

What symptoms do they produce?

Menstrual disorders and bleeding as the most frequent symptom.
Consequent anemia.
Pain and compressive symptoms that cause urinary retention, pain with sexual intercourse, constipation.
Increase in abdominal volume.
Recurrent miscarriages and infertility problems due to the anatomical deformity they cause in the uterine cavity.

Why can they affect fertility?

Due to alteration of blood flow to the uterus.
If they are in the cervix, it can cause an obstruction of the passage of sperm to the uterine cavity.
If they are located near the tubes, they can prevent the passage of sperm to the tubes and the fertilized egg to the uterine cavity.
Due to deformation of the uterus.

What are the treatment options?

Medical treatment

Currently, the first-line treatment is with ulipristal acetate. There are other options depending on the symptoms such as an insertion of a levonorgestrel IUD or oral contraception. However, none of these are a definitive treatment.

Surgical treatment

Depending on the size, location and symptoms, it may require surgical treatment that may consists of:

Myomectomy. This involves the removal of the fibroid through laparoscopic surgery, hysteroscopy or open surgery. The fertility problem with this treatment is that the walls of the uterus can be damaged, potentially delaying or preventing pregnancy.
Hysterectomy. This is the complete removal of the patient's uterus or womb.

Faced with this, the possibility of treatment WITHOUT SURGERY arises.

Alternative to surgery. Radiofrequency

A non-surgical treatment option for this type of pathology is radiofrequency ablation.
This technique acts directly inside the fibroid by thermocoagulating the tissue through a very fine needle inserted vaginally, which emits radiofrequency at its tip. This is done in a controlled manner and guided by ultrasound over the entire surface of the fibroid without damaging the uterine muscle.
It is performed under sedation or locoregional anesthesia. The patient is discharged on an outpatient basis. Once the fibroid has been treated, a significant reduction in volume and symptoms is observed.

Benefits of Radio Frequency

Alternative technique to surgery.
Does not require hospital admission.
Avoid surgical risks.
Possibility of treating several fibroids in the same intervention.
Inaccessible fibroids through surgery can be treated.
Does not leave abdominal scars.
Does not cause damage to the uterine wall.
Does not require medical leave.
Rapid recovery for the patient.
Preserves the patient's fertility.
Possibility of seeking pregnancy a few months after the treatment.