What is the Acessa® Procedure?
The Acessa® procedure — also known as laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation — is a minimally invasive treatment specifically designed to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids without major surgery. For decades, women dealing with pelvic pain, pressure, and heavy bleeding from fibroids had to choose between a myomectomy or a total hysterectomy.
Acessa introduces an alternative that fully preserves the healthy uterus. By applying targeted radiofrequency energy directly into the fibroid core, the procedure safely destroys the fibroid tissue while leaving surrounding uterine walls unharmed, providing substantial, long-lasting relief from disruptive symptoms.
Request an AppointmentWhat to Expect During and After the Procedure
At Miami Women’s Center, we guide you through an organized, stress-free treatment pathway:
The Procedure
- Outpatient care: Performed in an outpatient surgical setting under general anesthesia for maximum safety and comfort.
- Guided precision: Two micro-incisions allow insertion of a camera and radiofrequency handpiece, with ablations completed within 1 to 2 hours depending on the number of fibroids.
The Recovery
- Same-day discharge: A few hours in our post-operative suite before going home with a companion.
- Rapid return to routine: Most patients need only over-the-counter pain relievers and resume normal activities within a week.
For broader fibroid management options, see our uterine fibroids & masses management page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acessa®
Acessa Fibroid Treatment at Miami Women’s Center
How does the Acessa® procedure actually work?
The procedure combines laparoscopic camera views with live intraoperative ultrasound imaging, letting your surgeon map every fibroid in real time. A slender handpiece delivers controlled radiofrequency thermal energy into the fibroid, destroying the cells so the body’s immune response gradually absorbs the dead tissue, causing the fibroid to shrink.
What are the main advantages of Acessa® compared to traditional surgery?
Advantages include true uterine preservation with no cutting into healthy muscle tissue, minimal post-operative pain, accelerated recovery (3-5 days versus 4-6 weeks for standard surgery), and microscopic scarring from just two tiny incisions.
Does Acessa® treat all types of fibroids?
Yes, this is one of Acessa’s strengths. The precise ultrasound guidance lets surgeons locate and treat multiple fibroids in various locations, including intramural and subserosal fibroids that traditional procedures can struggle to reach.
Will the fibroids completely disappear after treatment?
Fibroids don’t vanish immediately, but they lose structural mass over time, typically shrinking by 35-45% in volume within 3 to 12 months, which relieves pressure on the bladder, rectum, and pelvic floor.
Can I get pregnant after having the Acessa® procedure?
Acessa preserves healthy uterine tissue, but because the safety of pregnancy after radiofrequency ablation is still being studied, it’s currently recommended primarily for women who have completed childbearing. If future fertility is a priority, your provider will discuss alternatives like a robotic myomectomy.
How is Acessa different from a hysteroscopic fibroid removal?
Acessa uses radiofrequency energy through small abdominal incisions to shrink fibroids in place, while hysteroscopic removal physically shaves down fibroids through the cervix with no abdominal incisions — the right option depends on fibroid location and size.
Will my symptoms return after Acessa treatment?
Treated fibroids generally don’t regrow, though it’s possible for new fibroids to develop elsewhere in the uterus over time, which routine follow-up can help monitor.