Endometrial ablation

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Know this new technique to preserve the uterus, an alternative that will allow you to save this important female organ.

The uterus or womb is the symbol of femininity and fertility. It is the largest of the organs of the female reproductive system and is the place where life develops.

There are women; many of them young, who for various reasons suffer from heavy uterine bleeding due to the presence of polyps, fibroids, abnormal growth of the tissue that internally covers the uterus (endometrium) and other types of benign uterine diseases; The common medical practice has been to recommend hysterectomy “extirpation of the uterus”, when today you can offer other alternatives such as “Endometrial Ablation” which is a minimally invasive, conservative, quick recovery and technology of last generation explains Dr. Jaime Acosta Martínez, gynecologist of the Metropolitan Hospital / director of Gyne Medi Corp and who is the pioneer in implementing this technique in Ecuador.

In the mid-1980s, procedures were introduced that eliminate the full thickness of the endometrium as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. Although in the world, the number and popularity of these techniques, known as endometrial ablation, has increased ostensibly, in our country it continues to be a little diffused and underutilized tool.

This operation has been carried out for some years in the USA. and Europe and for four years in the country; consists of the cauterization of the inner layer of the uterus (the endometrium) through the use of a very thin optical equipment, known as a hysteroscope and by placing a thermal balloon inside the uterine cavity and without wounds, it can be cauterize and remove the injuries that cause these annoying bleeding that in some cases can cause severe anemia.

In the last medical congresses where specialists from all over the world gather, there is a tendency to practice minimally invasive surgeries that produce small wounds to improve the comfort and quality of life of women, the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG) and the American Association of Laparoscopic Gynecologists (AAGL) recommend endometrial ablation as the first option when other medical treatments have failed and you want to preserve the uterus, improving the quality of life and the biopsychosocial well-being of women.

However, if there are irreversible pathologies such as an extremely large uterus or if you have cancer, then you would have to resort to hysterectomy.

Advantages of Endometrial Ablation

The benefits are several, Dr. Acosta adds, because by suppressing the first layer that is the endometrium (which produces menstruation) the patient minimizes bleeding; he recovers from the anemia that was produced by the loss of blood; Vaginal lubrication remains normal therefore activity and sexual pleasure are normal; pelvic pain is reduced; the ovaries continue to function and produce hormones without the patient having menopausal symptoms; there are no lesions of the ureters, or of the bladder (when there was a hysterectomy the bladder tends to descend), the patient is immediately reintegrated into the daily activities in addition to post operative comfort, etc.

The specialist points out that in the psychological and emotional field, endometrial ablation undoubtedly improves the quality of life of women. Well, unlike hysterectomy in which many women once removed from the uterus feel depression and low self-esteem with this new technique most patients feel very satisfied and safe. “In addition, they do not need to travel to other countries to perform these last generation interventions,” he says.

Finally, this procedure is also recommended for postmenopausal patients who suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding.

HYSTERECTOMY

  • Hospital stay between 2 – 4 days.
  • Recovery between 3 – 6 weeks.
  • Loss of vaginal lubrication (dryness).
  • Pain in the sexual act (dyspareunia).
  • Possibility of bladder and ureter injuries.
  • Greater physical inability to work.
  • Possibility of pelvic organ drops.
  • Surgical wounds in the abdomen.

ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION

  • Hospital stay between 8 – 24 hours.
  • Recovery between 3 – 5 days.
  • Vaginal lubrication is maintained.
  • Normal sexual activity without pain.
  • There are no urological lesions.
  • Quick reimbursement for activities.
  • All the woman’s organs remain in place.
  • No wound is produced, it is entered through natural orifices.

The candidates for the intervention are women (who no longer wish to have children) and who suffer from hemorrhages and benign diseases of the uterus.

This procedure is covered by the majority of medical insurances since it is codified within the recognized procedures.

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