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January 11, 2022 – St. Lucie Medical Center is the first hospital on the Treasure Coast to offer ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation, commonly known as Acessa, to treat a painful condition—uterine fibroids. The minimally invasive procedure can treat nearly all locations of fibroids — including those outside the uterine cavity and within the uterine walls. The outpatient treatment targets each fibroid by applying controlled energy through a small needle. The procedure does not remove the fibroid rather it shrinks the fibroid down and significantly decreases the blood supply to the fibroid, improving the patient’s symptoms, including heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, urinary frequency and urgency, and incontinence.

Dr. Kathy Santoriello after first procedure using new minimally invasive technology

The outpatient treatment is clinically proven to be a safe alternative to undergoing a hysterectomy.

“We are excited to introduce this innovative treatment option to women on the Treasure Coast who are seeking a safe alternative to treat uterine fibroids. This new procedure opens up the possibility of treatment that does not involve an invasive surgery and long recovery,” said Dr. Kathy Santoriello, a gynecologist affiliated with St. Lucie Medical Center.

The recovery time from Acessa is about five to seven days compared to the much longer recovery time from a surgical myomectomy, which is removing the fibroid, or a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus. Two additional OB/GYN groups Physicians to Women and Women’s Health Specialists will also be performing Acessa at St. Lucie Medical Center.

St. Lucie Medical Center is a facility of HCA East Florida. HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of HCA Healthcare (HCA). HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, physician practices, imaging centers and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,000 employees and has more than 6,600 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.

HCA EAST FLORIDA

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center +JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Woodmont Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital + Westside Regional Medical Center