Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center is now the first within the Hackensack Meridian Health network and one of the few hospitals in New Jersey to offer the Acessa ProVu system, a minimally invasive alternative treatment for women suffering from uterine fibroids.
Fibroids are typically noncancerous and emerge predominantly during a woman’s reproductive years. Although many women with fibroids may not experience symptoms, for others, these tumors can lead to significant discomfort. Symptoms may include severe pain, excessive menstrual bleeding, pressure on the pelvic organs such as the bladder and rectum, an enlarged abdomen and fatigue, which may be due to anemia.
It’s estimated that, by age 50, approximately 80% of women will have developed fibroids, and, every year, approximately 540,000 hysterectomies are performed for noncancerous conditions, including uterine fibroids.
The Acessa Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation utilizes radiofrequency ablation, laparoscopic ultrasound and guidance mapping to treat women suffering from uterine fibroids. The potential patient benefits include returning home from the hospital on the same day as the procedure, lower interoperative blood loss compared to hysterectomy and myomectomy and quick recovery time, as patients typically return to work within 4-5 days.
“Introducing the Acessa ProVu system into our array of medical tools marks a thrilling advancement for us,” Dr. Marilyn LohCollado, chief medical officer at Riverview Medical Center, said. “It opens up a broader spectrum of personalized treatment options for women battling fibroids, aiming to enhance their well-being and align with their individual lifestyles. This innovation is a significant stride in enriching our minimally invasive surgical offerings for our patients.”
The Acessa mapping also allows the surgeon to visualize and treat more fibroids. In clinical studies, the Acessa system’s laparoscopic ultrasound can locate 1.5 to two times more fibroids than MRI or transvaginal ultrasound. This allows patients to receive treatment for fibroids that may have previously been undetected.
