Patient education: Radiofrequency ablation (The Basics)

What is radiofrequency ablation? — 

Radiofrequency ablation, or "RFA," is a procedure to treat different conditions. It uses a special RFA catheter, or "probe," that makes radio waves. The radio waves heat up tissues in the body. RFA targets certain tissues and limits damage to other healthy tissues.

Doctors might suggest RFA as treatment for conditions like:

●Certain types of cancer or other growths

●Chronic pain

●Abnormal heartbeats like atrial fibrillation

●Vein problems

●Enlarged prostate

●Abnormal bleeding from the uterus

How is RFA done? — 

RFA can be done in a doctor's office, hospital, operating room, or procedure area. It can be done in different ways, depending on what the doctor is treating.

RFA can be done in these ways:

●Percutaneous – "Percutaneous" means through the skin. The doctor inserts an RFA probe through the skin and into the area.

●Endoscopic – The doctor uses a "scope," which is a thin tube with a camera on the end that lets them see inside the body. They use special tools to guide the RFA probe to the area.

●Endovascular – "Endovascular" means through a blood vessel. The doctor puts a thin tube called an "RFA catheter" into a blood vessel. Then, they move the RFA catheter to the area.

●Open surgery – The doctor makes a cut ("incision") in the skin. This lets them see directly inside the body to place and use the RFA probe.

Your doctor will recommend which type of RFA to have, and where to have it, based on:

●Your health

●The size and location of the area

●What the area looks like on an ultrasound or other imaging test (imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body)

How do I prepare for RFA? — 

The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare. This depends on your situation, the type of RFA you need, and where on your body the RFA will be done.

You might be asked to:

●Temporarily stop certain medicines before the procedure

●Avoid eating or drinking for some amount of time before the procedure

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during RFA? — 

It depends on the type of RFA.

In general:

●You might get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. This can be used to give you fluids and medicines.

●You might get anesthesia medicines. This is to make sure you do not feel pain during the procedure. You might also get medicines to help you relax.

●The doctor might use CT scans, ultrasounds, or other imaging tests to help them see where to do the RFA.

●The doctor will guide the RFA probe or catheter to the area. The electrode will heat up to destroy the targeted tissue.

●The doctor will remove the RFA probe or catheter and any other tools. They will hold pressure or use stitches, skin glue, or medical tape to close any incisions and stop any bleeding. If needed, they will cover the area with clean bandages.

What happens after RFA? — 

If you had anesthesia, the staff will watch you closely as it wears off. You can probably go home the same day.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to restart any medicines you stopped. They will also tell you if there are any activities you need to avoid.

What are the risks of RFA? — 

Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible risks and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Bleeding or blood clots

●Infection

●Injury to nearby nerves, organs, or other tissue

●The problem doesn't get fixed, gets worse, or comes back

More on this topic

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