Team performing minimally invasive Acessa procedure at Humber River Hospital

The Acessa procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that preserves the uterus and is a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy. Dr. Andre LaRoche performed the first Acessa procedure in Ontario, and his team at Humber River Hospital is still the only group in the Greater Toronto Area providing the procedure.

The Acessa procedure involves two small abdominal incisions. Controlled radiofrequency energy is applied to cause coagulative necrosis of the fibroid tissue. The treated tissue softens and shrinks over time, allowing fibroid symptoms to resolve with no suturing of the uterine tissue.

The Acessa procedure optimizes imaging of the uterus by simultaneously displaying the laparoscopic camera view and the ultrasound view in real-time, so physicians can identify and treat nearly all locations of fibroids. We expect a 45 per cent reduction in fibroid volume over six months.

Women typically experience minimal discomfort after the procedure, quick return to work in four-to-five days, and long term satisfaction and relief. There is very little bloodloss with the procedure and the risk of transfusion is very low.

The ideal candidate is someone who wants to preserve their uterus, on whom a laparoscopic myomectomy would be offered. We can treat any type of fibroid except pedunculated intracavitary or pedunculated subserosal, both of which will get better results with removal either hysteroscopically or laparoscopically, both of which could be done during the same Acessa procedure. The procedure is reserved for patients with BMI <40.