Radio frequency ablation uses high frequency electrical energy to destroy or burn tissues and is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. It can be used to treat primary or metastatic tumors less than 5 cm, cardiac arrhythmias, skin lesions, varicose veins, obstructive sleep apnea, pain management, and Barrett's esophagus. The procedure is performed by physicians such as radiologists, anesthesiologists, neurologists, and surgeons using equipment like probes, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs. Patients may experience low-grade fever, flu-like symptoms, and post-procedure pain after an ablation that takes 10-30 minutes during a procedure lasting 1-3 hours

1. RADIO FREQUENCY
ABLATION
Cadelario, Patricia L.
Velarde, Lhouise Lane M.

2. RF ABLATION
High Frequency
Electrical Energy
Destroy/burn tissues
Outpatient setting
Local anaesthesia or
Conscious sedation
anaesthesia

3. USED FOR…
 Primary/ Metastatic tumors less than 5cm (lung,
liver[HCC], kidney, bone, pancreatic CA, bile duct CA )
 Cardiac Arrhythmia
 Aesthetics Dermatology (most of the skin lesions)
 Varicose Veins
 Obstructive Sleep Apnea
 Pain Management
 Barrett’s esophagus

5. NOT recommended to..
People who have an infection
Have bleeding problems
Pregnant women

6. WHO performs the procedure?
Physiatrists (PM&R)
Radiologists
Anesthesiologists
Neurologists
Surgeons

7. Equipment used..
Probe (lone needle electrode)
CT Scan
Ultrasound
MRI

8. WHAT to expect?
Anesthesia
VS Monitoring
Entire procedure lasts for 1-3 hours
Ablation: Takes 10-30 minutes
Low grade fever
Flu-like symptoms
Post-procedure pain