Minimally Invasive Procedures That Will Improve Your Health

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Gallbladder removal, appendix removal, and the removal of uterine fibroids are routine procedures that can be performed with minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive procedures minimize the damage done to human tissue during surgery through the use of state-of-the-art technology. However, each of these surgeries has its risks and benefits. In this article, we discuss the procedures and how they can improve your health.

About Fibroids

It is common for women with fibroids not to experience any symptoms, but those who do often struggle to cope. Common symptoms include:

-Heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain

-Frequent urination caused

-Constipation and back pain

-Bloating

A fibroid can distort the endometrial cavity or womb, which causes heavy vaginal bleeding. Any amount of pain, frequent urination, and bleeding that negatively impact your quality of life is concerning.

In cases where fibroid symptoms are unbearable, doctors may perform a hysterectomy, which is one of the most common fibroids treatments. However, there has been an increasing movement to reduce the number of costly hysterectomies, which studies have shown may not be necessary. Now thanks to advances in technology, Uterine fibroid embolization is available.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)

UFE is a highly effective, FDA-approved, and less invasive method of treating fibroids. The procedure reduces the size of uterine fibroids and improves symptoms.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous muscular tumors that grow inside the uterus or uterine lining. They can be small as a plum or large as a melon. Fibroids affect approximately 20-40 percent of women older than 35, and it is three times more common for African American women.

When fibroids increase, they can cause severe pelvic pain and discomfort, incontinence, frequent urination, and heavy bleeding during menstruation.

The severity of these symptoms may differ based on the size and location of uterine fibroids. Hormonal sensitivities can also cause fibroids to manifest as cyclical symptoms, just like menstruation.

If you have a heavy menstrual flow, you can expect a normal flow after UFE. After embolization, fibroids shrink and starve, similarly to how they shrink naturally after menopause. Talk to your doctor about this procedure if you think you might be a candidate for uterine fibroid treatment in Memphis, TN or your particular locale.

What do UFE Entails?

UFE is performed on an outpatient basis. The interventional radiologist guides a catheter through the femoral artery in the groin to the uterine artery using X-ray imaging. As soon as the catheter reaches the fibroids, the radiologist blocks or embolizes the blood vessels that supply the fibroids with oxygen. When the fibroid shrinks, the symptoms gradually disappear.

The procedure seldom takes more than an hour, and the patient can return home within 24 hours. Women who undergo UFE report high levels of satisfaction and significant improvements in quality of life long term. In four randomized clinical trials comparing UFE with surgical interventions, UFE was associated with reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster returns to work.

Minimally Invasive Procedures Overview

Minimally invasive surgery became popular in the 1980s as an effective and safe way to treat surgical problems. The techniques have revolutionized surgery by improving patient comfort and quality of life. With minimally invasive surgery, doctors employ different techniques that cause less damage than open surgery. Generally, minimally invasive surgery involves less pain, fewer complications, and a shorter hospital stay.

Types of Procedures

Laparoscopy: A standard minimally invasive procedure is laparoscopy, one of the first minimally invasive surgeries. Laparoscopy involves inserting small tubes, miniature cameras, and surgical equipment through one or more tiny incisions.

Robotic Surgery: This minimally invasive surgery magnifies the surgical site in 3D and allows the surgeon to operate with control, precision, and flexibility.

Risks

Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller and fewer surgical incisions and is less risky than traditional surgery. But even minimally invasive surgery is not without risks, such as anesthesia complications, bleeding, and infection.

Benefits

Minimally invasive procedures have many advantages and have become increasingly popular. These procedures are less painful, require shorter recovery times, and leave a smaller scar than more traditional surgeries. In addition, patients can usually return home the same day after minimally invasive surgery. This means a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal daily activities.

With continual advancements in minimally invasive surgery, it is now possible to treat a wide range of medical conditions. One of the most successful minimum invasive procedures is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), with an 85 percent success rate in treating fibroids.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgeries are becoming more popular, and they can improve your health. Procedures like UFE can help to diagnose, treat, and prevent various medical conditions from occurring or progressing. If you are concerned about your health, talk to your doctor about whether a minimally invasive procedure is right for you.