Huang Yulin, District Secretary of Yuzhong District of Chongqing, China participated in the talk.

What is HIFU for Uterine Fibroids?

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ultrasound is a new technology applied to the treatment of uterine fibroids.

HIFU focuses high energy ultrasound waves to generate localised heat energy which reaches temperatures above 55°C to achieve cell death (coagulation necrosis) in the uterine fibroids. Preserving the uterus, it is a non-invasive and organ-sparing procedure.

Conventionally, uterine fibroids are treated through surgeries such as hysterectomy or myomectomy, which sometimes require weeks of recovery. HIFU on the other hand, requires a much shorter downtime where patients can possibly return to work and daily living the very next day.

Depending on the location and size of your fibroid, HIFU treatment is a therapeutic option that has good potential in women of childbearing age who plan to have children.

Advantages of HIFU
• Non-invasive procedure that can be carried out on an outpatient basis without anaesthesia.
• Low rate of complications. Common surgically related complications such as intraoperative bleeding, infection and visceral damage do not occur.
• Short treatment time
• Short recovery time
• Preserved fertility. Women of childbearing age are able to conceive and have normal pregnancies after treatment.