Outpatient Sonata®

Introduction

This leaflet provides you with information about Outpatient Sonata ®. You have been given this leaflet because this treatment may be a suitable option for you. The leaflet will inform you about the procedure:- what it entails, what you have to do to prepare and what to expect afterwards.

It also gives you contact details should you have any concerns or questions.

What is Sonata®?

Sonata® is an incision-free (which means no scarring) treatment option for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. The fibroids are treated from inside the uterus, using an ultrasound device. Radiofrequency energy is delivered directly to the fibroids to reduce their size and ease symptoms.

The treatment typically takes less than one hour, depending on the size and the number of fibroids treated. On average, women return to normal activity in a couple of days.

Before the procedure

You will need to arrive 60 minutes before your appointment so that we can administer pain relief and anti-sickness medication prior to your procedure. Please bring any of your regular medications with you.

The procedure will be performed without general anaesthesia so you can eat and drink before your appointment.

We would recommend you have breakfast or lunch before you attend your appointment and that someone drives you to and from your appointment

You will need to provide an early morning urine sample, to be collected at home and bring to your appointment, in order for a pregnancy test upon arrival. If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, your procedure will be cancelled. If you are sexually active you must be using a reliable form of contraception or have refrained from sexual intercourse for at least 4 weeks.

During the procedure

The Sonata treatment device is inserted through the vagina and neck of the womb (cervix) and into the uterus. The clinician will give you an injection which numbs your cervix before the Sonata device is put through the cervix into your womb. The device has two parts, a thin camera to guide the clinician during the procedure and a special probe that uses radiofrequency energy to treat the fibroid. The procedure can take 15-30 minutes, depending on the size and number of fibroids.

In the room there will usually be four members of staff: the doctor performing the procedure, two members of our nursing team and the technical assistant. As we are a teaching hospital, it is possible that another medical professional or trainee may also be in the clinic. If you would prefer not to have a trainee present, please inform a member of staff.

After the procedure

You will stay on Daphne ward for up to 60 minutes after the procedure to ensure you are feeling well enough to go home. You should arrange for an adult escort home.

During the first 24 hours, you might feel sick, experience cramping-type pain, or have brown discharge. Most people will feel back to normal within two days after the procedure. You should avoid swimming, taking a bath (you can shower), sexual intercourse and using tampons for at least two weeks, to reduce the risk of infection.

Call Clinic 24 (the Early Pregnancy and Emergency Gynaecology Unit) or your GP if you feel unwell and/or develop any of the following symptoms:

• Persistent sickness or vomiting
• Heavy vaginal bleeding (more than 4 sanitary pads in 2 hours or as advised by your doctor)
• Severe tummy pain
• Temperature of 38°C or above

Greenish or smelly vaginal discharge

Side Effects

• There is a small chance that the procedure cannot fully stop your symptoms, and you may need other treatments, these will be discussed by your specialist.
• Any operation inside the womb has a small risk of injury (perforation), estimated to be a 1 in 200 risk (0.5%). If this happens, you may need a camera check inside your tummy.
• Any procedure inside the uterus (womb) carries a small risk of infection 1 in 150 (0.6%)
• There is a rare risk of a burn injury to the bladder, bowel or other pelvic organs, although none have been reported

When will I feel effects/relief from fibroids after the procedure?

Trials have shown that:

• About 90% of people feel that their period blood loss was less at 3 months after the operation.
• 88% of people were satisfied with the result after 12 months.

Pregnancy after Sonata®

Evidence of the safety of Sonata in a future pregnancy is still not yet fully known. Those wishing to conceive can have the Sonata procedure after they discuss all options with their doctor. There has been encouraging data collected up until 2023, on a sample of 95 patients, show successful pregnancies without complications.

Medication

Bring all of your medicines (including inhalers, injections, creams, eye drops or patches), a current repeat prescription from your GP and any cards about your treatment to the clinic.

Contacts

Reproductive Medicine Clinical Nurse Specialist

Tel: 01223 808240

Please note the phone number is not manned daily. You will have the opportunity to leave a voicemail message, and someone will get back to you. If your query is urgent, please call Clinic 24.

Clinic 24 (the Early Pregnancy and Emergency Gynaecology Unit - EPU)

Tel: 01223 217636
08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday
08:30 to 14:00 at weekends
Closed: Bank holidays

Daphne ward (inpatient Gynaecology)

Tel: 01223 257206

If the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) is closed and you are concerned about the amount of bleeding you have, you can also attend the Emergency Department (ED) at any time.

References/sources of evidence

Sonata Treatment UK Website (opens in a new tab)