Press releases

Released June 2, 1997
Yale-New Haven Hospital news release

Yale-New Haven Offers Alternative for Women With Abnormal Bleeding or Fibroids

A less invasive, one-day surgical alternative to hysterectomy for treating excessive uterine bleeding or fibroids is being used by doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

About 10 million women experience abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which is characterized by especially heavy menstrual flows, or unexpected or prolonged bleeding. AUB can cause chronic anemia, pelvic pain and cramping, in addition to impairing everyday activities in life and at work. The excessive bleeding is most commonly caused by the presence of fibroids, which are non-cancerous balls of fibrous tissue that can significantly enlarge the uterus.

The surgical procedure called Outpatient Endometrial Resection and Ablation (OPERA) uses specially-designed surgical instruments which allow gynecologists to more easily and quickly remove the fibroids and the endometrial lining of the uterus. The instruments include a miniature telescope and a special surgical device.

"It's been a huge asset from both the physician's and the patient's point of view," said Dr. David Olive, chief of endocrinology and infertility at YNHH and professor of obstetrics & gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. "For the physician, it makes the surgery much easier to do. You can see better throughout the procedure and do more thorough surgery. For the patient, it means less surgical time and a quicker recovery."

The OPERA procedure is used for women who do not want to bear additional children, since it results in infertility. A similar procedure which only removes fibroid tissue, known as Submucous Myomectomy as Reproductive Therapy (SMART), also allows women to have children. The SMART procedure uses the same surgical instruments but permits doctors to precisely remove fibroids and help improve or maintain fertility.

Abnormal uterine bleeding affects women of all ages and races, but is more common in the years approaching menopause and among African-American women. Dr. Olive said that gynecologists have performed hysteroscopic surgery such as ablation for many years, using adapted urology surgical equipment.

"Only now has the equipment been made for gynecological use, specifically for the types of procedures we do," Dr. Olive said. "The results have just been remarkable. The equipment is designed so that you insert the instrumentation and you don't have to take it out until the surgery is over."

A study in the Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists reported that a study of HMO doctors' use of endometrial ablation improved quality of care by a marked reduction in surgical complications and more rapid return to work.

Dr. Olive said that about 300,000 patients per year have surgery for conditions of fibroid tumors, abnormal bleeding or malformation of the uterus. While some of these patients might need hysterectomies, which requires complete removal of the uterus and sometimes the ovaries, many could benefit from the less invasive OPERA or SMART procedures, he said.

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.