The "Six Meridians Divine Sword" in Gynecological Treatment: No "Tumor" Under HIFU

Author: Chen Yongning, attending physician of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University

Reviewer: Gong Shipeng, Chief Physician, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

When it comes to scalpels, the first thing that comes to mind is the flash of blood and the shadow of the knife, and people can't help but feel a wave of fear. However, in the field of gynecological treatment, there is a knife called "HIFU knife", which is as magical as the "Six Meridians Divine Sword" in martial arts novels, and can kill "tumors" invisibly, eliminate lesions without knowing it, and achieve the effect of "shooting the bull from behind the mountain".

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"HIFU", whose scientific name is "High Intensity Focused Ultrasound", is a transliteration of its English abbreviation "HIFU". It is a technology first invented by Chinese experts. Its working principle is to use the good tissue penetration and focusability of ultrasound to penetrate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, etc., accurately focus on the diseased tissue in the body, instantly generate high temperature, and thus "burn" the lesion. This principle is quite similar to the phenomenon of using a magnifying glass to burn a piece of paper under the sun.

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What gynecological diseases can the "HIFU knife" treat? It is mainly used to treat uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, pregnancy in the cesarean section scar, placenta implantation, abdominal wall endometriosis, etc.

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Is the HIFU knife safe?

Regarding the safety of the HIFU, doctors will conduct ultrasound positioning examinations before treatment to assess whether there is a safe treatment channel. During the treatment, real-time ultrasound monitoring ensures that doctors can adjust treatment parameters in real time according to the patient's response, thereby ensuring the safety of treatment.

Is HIFU treatment painful?

Usually no anesthesia is required, only sedation and analgesia are needed. During the treatment, most patients feel no pain or only slight discomfort, and a few patients may feel more obvious pain, but it is still within the tolerable range.

Does HIFU affect fertility?

HIFU itself has no effect on fertility. Because it is non-invasive and does not damage the integrity of the uterus, there will be no uterine rupture during pregnancy after surgery. At the same time, it also reduces the risk of pregnancy with tumors. Generally, 3 to 6 months after treatment, you can consider preparing for pregnancy after evaluation by a doctor.

Will the disease recur after HIFU treatment?

Whether the disease will relapse depends mainly on the characteristics of the disease itself. HIFU can only solve the current problem. For diseases such as uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, further management is needed to prevent recurrence.

What are the adverse reactions of HIFU treatment?

Possible adverse reactions to HIFU treatment include abdominal pain, sacral or buttock pain, perineal pain, increased vaginal discharge, and skin damage. These adverse reactions are less likely to occur, and most of the symptoms are mild and can be recovered without special treatment.

The uterus is the first stop of the warm harbor for each of us. We hope that with the help of the invisible sharp blade of the "HIFU knife", female friends can more effectively protect their uterine health.