What is the Acessa® Procedure?
The Acessa® procedure—also known as Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation (Lap-RFA)—is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive medical treatment specifically designed to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids without major surgery. For decades, women dealing with the pelvic pain, pressure, and heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids had to choose between highly invasive options like a myomectomy (surgical cutting out of fibroids) or a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
Acessa introduces a highly effective alternative that fully preserves the healthy uterus. By applying targeted radiofrequency (heat) energy directly into the fibroid core, the procedure safely destroys the dense fibroid tissue while leaving the surrounding uterine walls completely unharmed. Over time, the treated fibroids shrink significantly and soften, providing substantial, long-lasting relief from disruptive symptoms.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Acessa®
How does the Acessa® procedure actually work?
The procedure utilizes a highly sophisticated guidance system that combines standard laparoscopic camera views with live, intraoperative ultrasound imaging. This allows your surgeon at Miami Women’s Center to see the entire uterus and map out every single fibroid in real time.
A slender handpiece equipped with a tiny array of fine electrodes is gently guided through a micro-incision directly into a fibroid. The device applies controlled radiofrequency thermal energy, heating the fibroid tissue until the cells are destroyed—a biological process known as coagulative necrosis. Once the cells are deactivated, the body’s natural immune response takes over, gradually absorbing the dead tissue and causing the fibroid to shrink and soften.
What are the main advantages of Acessa® compared to traditional surgery?
Compared to open or even standard laparoscopic removals, the Acessa procedure offers vast benefits:
- True Uterine Preservation: No healthy uterine muscle tissue is cut into or stitched back together, protecting the structural integrity of your uterus.
- Minimal Post-Operative Pain: Because there is no mechanical cutting or pulling of deep muscle layers, post-operative discomfort is significantly lower.
- Accelerated Recovery: It is an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. Most women return to work and light daily routines within 3 to 5 days, compared to 4 to 6 weeks for standard surgeries.
- Microscopic Scarring: Performed through just two tiny abdominal incisions, typically under half an inch wide.
Does Acessa® treat all types of fibroids?
Yes, this is one of Acessa’s greatest clinical strengths. Traditional procedures can struggle to reach fibroids that are buried deep within the thick muscular layer of the uterus (intramural fibroids) or those bulging out toward the pelvic cavity (subserosal fibroids). Because the Acessa system uses an ultra-precise, flexible ultrasound probe placed directly onto the uterus during the procedure, our surgeons can locate, access, and successfully treat multiple fibroids in various locations simultaneously.
Will the fibroids completely disappear after treatment?
The fibroids do not vanish immediately, but they lose their structural mass and firmness. Immediately following ablation, the fibroid cells stop growing and begin to break down. Clinical studies demonstrate that fibroids typically shrink by 35% to 45% in total volume within the first 3 to 12 months. More importantly, as the mass softens, the internal mechanical pressure on your bladder, rectum, and pelvic floor drops dramatically, providing rapid relief from heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure.
Can I get pregnant after having the Acessa® procedure?
The Acessa procedure is designed to fully preserve your healthy uterine tissue, making it an excellent alternative for women who wish to avoid a hysterectomy. However, because the safety of carrying a pregnancy after radiofrequency ablation is still being evaluated in long-term clinical trials, it is currently recommended primarily for women who have completed childbearing or do not plan to become pregnant in the future. If preserving future fertility is your top priority, your provider at Miami Women’s Center will discuss specialized options, such as a robotic myomectomy.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
At Miami Women’s Center, we guide you through a highly organized, stress-free treatment pathway:
The Procedure
- Outpatient Care: Performed in an outpatient surgical setting under general anesthesia to maximize your safety and comfort.
- Dual-Avis Guidance: Your surgeon utilizes two micro-incisions (one in the navel, one at the bikini line) to insert the high-definition camera and the specialized radiofrequency handpiece, performing the targeted ablations within 1 to 2 hours depending on the number of fibroids.
The Recovery
- Same-Day Discharge: You will recover comfortably in our post-operative suite for a few hours before being cleared to go home with a trusted companion.
- Rapid Return to Routine: Most patients require only over-the-counter pain relievers or a very brief course of mild prescription medication. Within a week, you can typically resume your normal daily schedule, light exercises, and activities.