Women who have developed uterine fibroid have been urged to remove the abnormal growth through the latest technology of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
It is estimated that 70 percent of all women will develop uterine fibroid at some point in their lives. There are more than 100 cases of uterine fibroid in women between the ages of 14 to 60 years. In Nigeria at the moment, women who had fibroid were reluctant to get rid of it as it requires surgery for its removal in most government and private facilities.
In a virtual interview, the Medical Director (MD) of Nordica fertility, Dr Abayomi Ajayi explained that the new technology converts waves of ultrasound energy to heat to burn off the fibroid.
“HIFU is an ultrasound which works just like if a woman wants to do a scan, it’s just that this time around, the person has to lie still for two hours or thereabout for the procedure to be done. The heat of the machine is targeted at where the fibroid is located and it burns the fibroid off. If the fibroid is big and up to 10cm, it may be done in two sessions before it is burnt off.”
The machine, which is said to be the first in West Africa and Nigeria, does not shrink the fibroid, he emphasized, rather it kills the fibroid and shrinks gradually over the next few months.
“HIFU is another option for fibroid removal and those who use the ultrasound to get rid of the fibroid can still get pregnant. The machine can be used for other medical ailments asides fibroid.
“Women who have had previous surgery would not be allowed to use this technology, however, women of all age
s who want to get rid of their fibroid can use it.” he said.
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