Unique, non-invasive treatment for common women's condition offered by HCA Midwest

At some point in their lives, most women develop uterine fibroids, a common type of noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on the uterus. While small fibroids often don’t need treatment, larger fibroids are treated with medications or surgery – up to significant procedures like hysterectomy. 

That is, until now.

Women in the Kansas City region have a new, non-invasive breakthrough treatment for these non-cancerous tumors. HCA Midwest Health’s Overland Park Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in the area to offer transcervical fibroid ablation (TFA), a surgical alternative with a shorter recovery time that leaves the uterus intact, unlike a hysterectomy. TFA, also known as the Sonata treatment, is an outpatient procedure performed without general anesthesia, using radiofrequency energy to locate fibroids and treat them from inside the uterus. 

“Patients have been thrilled to hear there is an additional option for the treatment of their fibroids,” said Dr. Kimberly Swan, a board-certified OB-GYN with Kansas City Women’s Clinic. “They specifically appreciate Sonata, as it can address multiple fibroid symptoms with a short procedure and only a day or two of downtime.”

The benefits of the incisionless procedure include less pain, less bleeding and faster recovery for patients, Dr. Swan said. The procedure itself can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the number and type of fibroids being treated, and recovery time is usually just one-to-two days. 

This new procedure is important, Dr. Swan said, because uterine fibroids are an incredibly common condition.

“Seventy to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids in their reproductive years, which can require the decision between long-term medical management or major surgery,” she said. “Now, we can offer a permanent solution with a minor procedure.”

Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination and constipation. Any woman experiencing such symptoms should see a doctor, Dr. Swan said.

Contact Kansas City Women’s Clinic to learn more or make an appointment.

Investing in healthcare advancements

The new technology required to provide these ground-breaking TFA treatments is just the latest in several recent investments Overland Park Regional Medical Center has made in new technologies, equipment and facilities. Other recent renovations and expansions on its campus include:

• A $17 million Women’s Services renovation that provided new, state-of-the-art antepartum, labor and delivery and postpartum suites.
• A new $5.9 million hybrid operating room to enhance surgeons' capabilities in treating complex neurological and vascular cases that allow for additional minimally invasive techniques.
• A new, 32-bed Orthopedic and Spine Specialty Unit focusing on post-op care for patients who undergo complex orthopedic and spine procedures. The unit also has comprehensive services, like the state-of-the-art therapy gym that will help improve patient outcomes. 
• A $3.5 million renovation of the Cardiac Specialty Unit and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, where highly specialized teams of cardiac experts provide care to post-operative and critically ill patients with cardiac, thoracic and vascular issues.
• An investment of $2.5 million in its fourth DaVinci robotic surgery system, increasing its capacity to provide the latest in minimally invasive surgery options.
• And the hospital is breaking ground soon on a significant expansion and renovation of its surgery department, encompassing 400,000 square feet of new space and upgrades to all its existing perioperative spaces, including pre-op, the post-anesthesia care unit, its operating rooms, sterile processing and endoscopy.

“The greater Overland Park community continues to grow, and we need to grow our hospital to ensure we’re continuing to meet the community’s needs,” said Matt Sogard, Overland Park Regional CEO. “That means not only investing in the latest equipment, providing cutting-edge treatments and expanding and upgrading our facility – it also means continuing to recruit the best physicians, nurses and support staff to provide that needed care.”