What is an RF Procedure Like?
Your physician can tell you what to expect before and after the procedure. There are several different ways that a RF procedure may be performed, and each has different benefits, limitations, and applicability. You and your physician can determine which is most suitable for you.

The Percutaneous Approach
One option is a percutaneous approach, in which the electrode is inserted through the skin to the desired location. The physician usually uses ultrasound to guide the needle to the right location. This is the least invasive way that RF is performed. General anesthesia is usually not necessary, but typically the patient is sedated. Often the patient is able to go home the same day. If general anesthesia is not used, some discomfort or pain may be felt while the area is being ablated.

The Laparoscopic Approach
Another option is a laparoscopic approach. With this approach, the surgeon makes a few small incisions in the abdomen, through which the necessary instruments are passed in order to treat the target tissue. This is also a minimally invasive approach, although general anesthesia is necessary. Patients typically go home the next day. One advantage of this approach is that intraoperative ultrasound can be used, which may result in more accurate location and visualization of the target tissue.

The Open Approach
The Open approach is what most people probably think of when they think of an operation. An incision is made in the area to be treated, and the surgeon can directly visualize the procedure. General anesthesia is necessary, and the recovery period is a bit longer. Patients may experience a slight fever for two or three days after the procedure. Physicians often allow the fever to resolve without intervention.

Sometimes the RITA System is combined with other treatments, such as drug therapy. The choice of therapy may depend upon the type of tissue the physician intends to treat, the number, size, and location of these areas, the general health of the patient, the severity of the disease, and other factors. Your physician can recommend the best approach for you.

Minimal Complications
RF ablation procedures have a relatively low rate of complications. Most of the complications are considered minor. The following are the complications associated with this procedure: infection (abscess), bleeding, collapse of the lung, abnormal heart rhythms, and skin burn.

More Options for You
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) offers a valuable, groundbreaking treatment option for people with tumors. RFA is a medical technology that destroys tumors in a much less invasive way. It can destroy a tumor when surgical removal is not an option -- without the side effects of more invasive techniques.

Benefits

• Reduces the size or eliminates tumors
• Less invasive than traditional treatments - usually performed in an outpatient setting
• Highly effective - can be used on tumors up to 7 cm in size
• Can be used repeatedly or on new tumors
• Has few side effects or complications

Complications after RFA are low with most of the complications being considered minor. The following complications (in alphabetical order) have been associated with electrosurgical ablation procedures in liver and bone metastases: abscess, bleeding/local hematoma, bone fracture, cardia arrhythmia, fever, fistula, injury to adjacent structures, liver dysfunction and death, pneumothorax (without symptoms), procedural discomfort, and skin burn.