Radiofrequency ablation is used to treat:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have ablation, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
You will most likely be given a sedative to help you relax. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area. If this is done as part of another surgery, you may have general or spinal anesthesia .
An IV will be placed to give you fluids and medicine to help you relax. Your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure will be monitored. The area where the probe will be inserted is numbed.
The probe will be inserted into or directly up against the abnormal tissue. CT , ultrasound , or MRI images may be used to help guide the probe. In some cases, once the probe is inserted, a number of electrodes will be placed into the area. This will let the doctor treat a larger area of tissue.
A small amount of heat will be introduced through the probe. The heat will destroy the abnormal tissue. The probe may be repositioned to destroy other areas of tissue.
You will be monitored for 2-3 hours after the procedure.
About 10-60 minutes
Anesthesia will prevent pain during the surgery. You will be given medicine to help prevent most pain or discomfort.
It may be possible to leave the hospital on the same day of the procedure. You may need to stay overnight for your doctor to monitor you. Speak to your doctor to see if this is an option in your case.
Do not drive within the first 24 hours after the procedure. You may be asked to avoid strenuous activities. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American College of Radiology
http://www.acr.org/
The Radiological Society of North America
http://www.rsna.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Cancer Agency
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/default.htm/
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
References:
Interventional radiology. RadiologyInfo website. Available at http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/sitemap/category.cfm?category=ir&bhcp=1. Accessed August 28, 2006.
Radiofrequency ablation. American Heart Association website. Available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4682. Accessed August 28, 2006.
Radiofrequency ablation. National Institutes of Health website. Available at http://www.cc.nih.gov/drd/rfa/frame-background.html. Accessed August 28, 2006.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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