What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the uterus.
Fibroids might be discovered:
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Bulging from the within of the uterus (submucous)
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Within the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrial)
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Extending exterior of the uterus (serous)
About 8 in 10 ladies may have fibroids in some unspecified time in the future of their lives.
Most ladies with fibroids don’t have signs and don’t want remedy. However ladies who do want remedy have medical and surgical choices. One sort of surgical remedy is radiofrequency ablation.
What’s RFA?
RFA is a surgical process completed beneath common anesthesia that makes use of warmth to destroy fibroid tissue.
Laparoscopic RFA is a minimally invasive process carried out with a laparoscope, a skinny instrument with a digicam on the top. This permits the physician to see the uterus and discover out the place the fibroids are.
The physician makes two small cuts within the stomach button and the decrease abdomen space. Then they insert small instruments to make the fibroids smaller utilizing warmth and vitality (ablation).
The place does RFA happen and who does it?
A gynecologist normally performs the outpatient process, and sufferers typically go residence inside a few hours after surgical procedure.
Who’re the very best candidates for RFA?
RFA is advisable for folks with signs who wish to preserve their uterus.
Folks with “bulk signs,” which make the uterus larger, are the very best candidates.
Bulk signs embody:
How are you going to put together for RFA?
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Ask a surgeon how usually they do all these surgical procedures. Attempt to discover one who performs gynecologic surgical procedure usually.
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Have a biopsy completed earlier than RFA.
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If advisable, have an ultrasound or MRI earlier than RFA.
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Be certain your Pap and HPV exams are updated.
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Be sure you should not pregnant.
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When you have an IUD (intrauterine machine), have it eliminated earlier than the surgical procedure.
What are you able to count on throughout restoration from RFA?
It’s possible you’ll really feel prepared to return to work and actions inside 4 to 7 days.
For the primary few days after surgical procedure, chances are you’ll expertise:
You shouldn’t put something in your vagina for 2 weeks after surgical procedure.
Many sufferers really feel that RFA is efficient in eliminating their signs inside 3 to six months.
What are the dangers of RFA?
All surgical procedures have some threat of complication from anesthesia, in addition to threat of an infection, blood clots and bleeding.
Laparoscopic RFA is a low-risk process. However dangers could embody:
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Harm to the bladder, intestines or different organs close to the uterus
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Cramping and vaginal discharge after the surgical procedure
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New fibroids showing and needing remedy
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Potential issues in future pregnancies
This useful resource was created with help from Hologic.
