Mercy Health Toledo first in region to offer minimally invasive solution for uterine fibroids

Mercy Health – Toledo now offers the gold standard of treatment for women suffering from uterine fibroids. With the addition of the Third Generation Acessa® ProVu System, the Mercy Health OB/Gyn surgical team is the first in the region to use minimally invasive, laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (Lap-RFA). 

The Acessa ProVu is the first and only system to utilize radiofrequency ablation, laparoscopic ultrasound, and guidance mapping. This system is clinically proven with long-term clinical data as a safe alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy and is well established with more than 4,000 procedures performed to date.

Mercy Health performed its first procedure on April 27, 2021 at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. It is also being performed at Mercy Health – Perrysburg Hospital.

“The Acessa procedure offers women living with uterine fibroids an alternative to pain and discomfort without having to undergo major surgery. I’m proud to be a part of the Mercy Health team that is bringing this to women in our community” said Dr. Kathleen Piazza, a MIGS trained OB/Gyn for Mercy Health.

Uterine fibroids, also called myomas, leiomyomas, uterine myomas or fibromas, are benign (noncancerous) growths on the uterus. Uterine fibroids rarely develop into cancer but can cause unwanted symptoms and issues with fertility.

Risk factors of uterine fibroids include: family history of uterine fibroids; age (older women are at higher risk); African American women tend to have more and larger fibroids at an earlier age; and being overweight.

Unlike many alternative treatments, the Acessa procedure can treat nearly all locations of fibroids – including those outside the uterine cavity and within the uterine walls. It is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment that involves two small incisions and uses radiofrequency ablation (i.e., heat) to destroy each targeted fibroid by applying controlled energy through a small needle array. The treated tissue shrinks over time. There is no cutting or suturing of uterine tissue. 

The potential benefits to the patient include returning home from the hospital the same day, lower interoperative blood loss compared to hysterectomy and myomectomy, and quick recovery time as patients typically return to work within 4-5 days.

The Acessa procedure’s laparoscopic ultrasound and guidance mapping also allows the surgeon to visualize and treat more fibroids. In clinical studies, the Acessa ProVu laparoscopic ultrasound can locate 1.5-2x more fibroids than MRI or transvaginal ultrasound.1 This allows for patients to receive treatment for fibroids that may have previously been undetected.

Now designated by American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG), Mercy Health is leading the region in providing minimally invasive surgical options for women.