“The Acessa ProVu is part of the technology that helps guide us and makes sure we are able to view, identify and specifically target uterine fibroids in a safe manner,” explains Dr. LaRoche. “It is one more way that Humber is delivering innovative, safe and compassionate healthcare.”

Humber River Hospital has launched the use of the Acessa ProVu® system – a thorough and minimally invasive new way to treat uterine fibroids. Humber is now the second hospital in Canada (and the first in Ontario!) to offer this procedure to our patients.

Fibroids are one of the most common benign tumours, affecting up to 70 per cent of women during their reproductive years. Although most patients with fibroids are asymptomatic, about 30 per cent experience uncomfortable symptoms including abnormal menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure, urinary problems, difficulty getting pregnant, and issues during pregnancy,

In the past, the most common approaches to treating patients with severe symptoms has been surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) or of the fibroids (myomectomy).

Acessa allows physicians to treat fibroids without incision or cutting of the uterus. It also preserves more healthy uterine tissue by delivering heat (radiofrequency) directly into each fibroid to destroy the proteins of the fibroid tissue. The remaining small fragments are reabsorbed by the surrounding normal tissue, and the treated tissue softens and shrinks over time.

As the procedure is minimally invasive and recovery pain is typically mild, narcotics are rarely used post-operatively and patients are able to return to normal function quickly, with less scarring than traditional procedures.

Humber’s Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Andre LaRoche, performed the first procedure in Ontario.

“The Acessa ProVu is part of the technology that helps guide us and makes sure we are able to view, identify and specifically target uterine fibroids in a safe manner,” explains Dr. LaRoche. “Humber is always looking to deliver innovative healthcare and be the frontrunner in advancing technology and services for our patients. When the Acessa ProVu system became available in Canada, we were quick to jump at the opportunity of being one of the first to offer this in the country.”

Acessa allows physicians to treat fibroids without incision or cutting of the uterus. It also preserves more healthy uterine tissue by delivering heat (radiofrequency) directly into each fibroid to destroy the proteins of the fibroid tissue.

The first few cases in Canada were performed in Regina, Saskatchewan in September 2022 then executed at Humber a couple of days later. Dr. Bruce B. Lee, the inventor of the Acessa ProVu® joined Dr. LaRoche in the operating room during the first two days of cases at Humber.

“The first couple of cases went very well. Dr. Lee is an amazing mentor; it was perfect having him there to ensure that we were on track. He pushed me to find every fibroid we could,” says Dr. LaRoche.

“Many of our patients cannot afford to take six to eight weeks off work and need to get back to work more quickly,” says Dr. LaRoche. “This is an amazing way to introduce the technology to Canadians that need it and help them get back to their lives and their families. It is one more way that Humber is delivering innovative, safe and compassionate healthcare.”

Dr. LaRoche will be training other surgeons at Humber to perform the Acessa ProVu® procedure so that they can become experts. Eventually, Dr. LaRoche’s goal is for Humber to become a training centre for other hospitals to learn the technology too.

You can find the official press release written about Humber’s launch of the Acessa ProVu® system here.

If you would like to learn more about supporting innovative Women’s Health programs at Humber please contact:

Saneh Singh
Senior Development Officer, Annual
416-242-1000 ext. 81517
sansingh@hrh.ca