Apollo Hospitals Group has unveiled an MRI-guided high intensity focused ultrasound solution from Philips Healthcare to offer non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids in women.
While traditional treatment involves surgery and a long road to recovery (which could take up to several months), the benefits of MRI-guided ultrasound solution are: no radiation, no scar, no anaesthesia, recovery time of just a day, more precise magnetic resonance image guided treatment, said Mr Krishna Kumar, President, Philips Healthcare.
While traditional surgery costs Rs 40,000-60,000 at Apollo, the new solution will cost Rs 70,000-90,000. The cost of the Philips machine imported from Helsinki is Rs 5 crore.
The solution is currently available in four Apollo hospitals – in Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. There are plans to expand to other centres as well.
“We will also set up fibroid clinics twice a week in all our hospitals to offer advice and consultation,” said Dr Reddy.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growth of the uterus that often appears during childbearing years. Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, constipation, backache and leg pain.