There are 14 most frequently asked questions about ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids: the principle of ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids, the advantages of ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids, the possible risks of ultrasound ablation, the effect of ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids on normal tissues, how effective is ultrasound ablation treatment?
The procedure of ultrasound ablation, preparation for ultrasound ablation, possible reactions after ultrasound ablation, the effect of necrotic fibroids on the body after ultrasound ablation, precautions after ultrasound ablation for fibroids, the effect of ultrasound ablation for fibroids on fertility, the timing of pregnancy after ultrasound ablation, can adenomyosis and adenomyoma be treated by ultrasound ablation? What other diseases can be treated by ultrasound ablation?
Ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids is a new non-invasive (no incision, no puncture) technology for the treatment of uterine fibroids, similar in principle to focused sunlight. It achieves local inactivation of fibroids by focusing ultrasound from outside the body on the fibroids in the body, relying on the high temperature generated at the focal point, etc., to necrosis the fibroid tissue. The treatment process does not damage the normal uterine tissue.
Ultrasound ablation treatment can prevent further growth of fibroids, and the necrotic tissue can be gradually absorbed by normal uterine tissues to make fibroids smaller, thus reducing or relieving the corresponding symptoms. Ultrasound ablation is a one-time treatment in most cases.
Advantages of ultrasound ablation for fibroids
(1) The uterus is preserved and the normal endocrine function of women is not affected.
(2) Short treatment time, usually 1-2 hours, and quick recovery after surgery
(3) No anesthesia is needed: only certain sedative and analgesic are needed during the operation, reducing the risk caused by anesthesia.
(4) Multiple uterine fibroids and recurrent fibroids can be treated repeatedly.
Possible risks of ultrasound ablation
Ultrasound ablation may involve the following risks if not performed properly by the physician.
(1) Skin burns
(2) Gastrointestinal injury
(3) Nerve damage.
In clinical practice, these risks are rare, and if they do occur, they are mild and most of them are rapidly recovered, leaving very little functional impairment.
Effects of ultrasound ablation of fibroids on normal tissues
Ultrasound ablation does not cause damage to normal tissues. On the one hand, ultrasound focus is very precise, the focus is only the size of a grain of rice, in addition, the treatment process is monitored by ultrasound, so the location of the focus can be clearly known, so it is safe and will not affect normal tissues.
What is the effect of ultrasound ablation treatment?
After ultrasound ablation, the magnetic resonance examination showed that the myoma had no blood supply and gradually shrank with time.
The efficiency of ultrasound ablation treatment is about 95%. The criteria are mainly based on the relief of symptoms. The blood supply of fibroids and the degree of fibroid absorption can be determined by imaging (enhanced MRI and ultrasonography).
Treatment procedure of ultrasonic ablation
During the treatment: No anesthesia is needed, and sedation and analgesia are used. Patients can communicate with the nurses and doctors at the treatment bedside about their feelings during the treatment to ensure the safety of the treatment process. Patient feedback: the whole treatment is like doing an abdominal ultrasound examination or physical therapy; it feels amazing, like in the science fiction world; the treatment is a bit like menstrual cramps, which can be tolerated, and the treatment feels like the personality is respected.
After the treatment: recovery is fast, the next day is almost like normal people; after the treatment there is not a single needle hole on the stomach, completely like not experiencing the treatment; the treatment has the feeling of exorcising demons and getting a new life.
Preparation before ultrasound ablation treatment for uterine fibroids
(1) No history of abortion within the last 3 months
(2) Make sure there is no birth control device in the uterus
(3) No bloody vaginal discharge
(4) Ultrasound ablation should be performed during non-menstrual period
(5) Eat a light liquid diet such as rice soup, cereal soup, thin rice, lotus root powder, rotten noodles, millet porridge, yam porridge, egg soup, etc. and various fruits 1-2 days before the treatment. No food or water after 10 pm the day before the treatment.
Possible reactions after ultrasound ablation for fibroids
Some women may experience mild vaginal discharge, abdominal wall discomfort, muscle aches, mild distension in the lower abdomen, slight swelling and pain in the buttocks and lower back, dizziness, and mild nausea for a short time after ultrasound ablation. Recovery is usually within 1-3 months and does not affect normal work and life.
Effects of necrotic myoma on human body after ultrasound ablation
Necrotic fibroids are not harmful to human body. The inactivated fibroids are like hard-boiled eggs, which have lost their blood supply and do not continue to grow, and are gradually absorbed and shrunk by the surrounding normal tissues.
Precautions after ultrasound ablation treatment of fibroids
(1) Lie prone for not less than 45 minutes after the treatment. Those who feel pain should apply ice intermittently to avoid injury to the skin passing through the ultrasound treatment area.
(2) Routine infusion of antibiotics for 2-3 days, followed by switching to oral antibiotics.
(3) After 2 hours after treatment, you can start to eat liquid, and within 24 hours you can eat liquid. After 24 hours, no abdominal pain, abdominal distension, local pressure pain, fever and loss of appetite can enter semi-liquid diet, and after 48 hours, no abdominal pain, abdominal distension, local pressure pain, fever and loss of appetite can resume normal diet.
(4) Within 3 weeks after treatment, it is recommended to change the position more often when sleeping or resting in bed.
(5) Sexual intercourse is prohibited after treatment and can be resumed after one menstrual cycle
(6) Patients who need to wear an IUD can consider placing an IUD after 3 menstrual cycles of normal menstruation.
Effect of ultrasonic ablation on fertility of uterine fibroids
Since ultrasound is penetrating and focusing, it only damages the diseased tissue and has the least impact on uterus and fertility among the existing treatment methods. According to the clinical statistics in recent years, there are more and more cases of pregnancy and delivery after ultrasound ablation for fibroids.